MONEY raised by the successful Rotary cyclathon held earlier this year is being used to support the Farnham-based charity Chiks, by financing the installation of a tropical polyhouse at its Little Flower Home in Kerala State, India.

Provision of the 400 square metre polyhouse is a joint project between the Rotary Clubs of Farnham and Farnham Weyside, supported by a grant from the Rotary Foundation.

Farnham resident Robin Radley, the Chiks’ director, explained: “Greater self-sufficiency at the children’s homes and a farm has been Chiks’ emphasis given successive years of often severe weather patterns in India.

“Very high temperatures and freak storms, with occasional flooding, has too often severely reduced our crop production, at great cost to this UK-based charity.”

Such experiences prompted the charity to pursue diversification into cows and cowsheds, providing fresh milk with surpluses being sold to the local milk-marketing organisation.

“We also wished to obtain ultra-modern tropical polyhouses with temperature and humidity control, as funds permitted, to enable the year-long production of fruit and vegetables,” Mr Radley continued.

“We anticipate all-season food production, literally by the ton, a steady supply of home-grown, health-giving food for the hundred children in our care there.

“And there should, in addition, be sufficient food produced to feed some 150 adults at Little Flower who have been rescued from destitution, plus surpluses which can be sold to help defray some of our running costs.”

Mr Radley added that Chiks’ trustees and friends are indebted to the two Rotary Clubs who have agreed to share the costs of this project.

For further information about Chiks and its homes, contact [email protected].