The Council Partners $5 million fund-raising campaign was boosted to $3.6 million yesterday after a generous donation from Centre Cat.

Centre Cat president Mr. Charles L. Kline presented The Council Partners chairperson Ms Katherine Watson with the first of five payments -- that will continue over five years -- to a total of $100,000 "This company is committed to supporting initiatives that are making a difference in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse,'' Mr. Kline said.

"The agencies of The Council Partners are making a difference. We note that more than half the funding allocations for this five-year campaign go towards education and prevention programmes, areas that we feel will ultimately turn the tide in this fight.'' In accepting Centre Cat's donation, Ms Watson said organisers were grateful for the huge support the campaign had received from exempted companies based in Bermuda.

"Centre Cat has joined an impressive roster of companies based in Bermuda who have enthusiastically responded to our funding solicitations,'' she said.

"Their donation represents an investment in Bermuda and its residents and we are truly grateful for their impressive support.'' The agencies of The Council Partners include The Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, which provides scholarships and training programmes for Bermudian professionals working in the field of substance abuse; PRIDE, which provides skills training programmes, seminars and workshops for parents to help them address substance abuse issues with their children; The Lions Quest Programme, which runs life skills programmes in the Island's primary and secondary schools; Fair Havens, which provides rehabilitation for drug-dependent women in a residential setting; and Focus, which runs education and retraining programmes for homeless adults and recovering addicts in Salvation Army's shelter on Parsons Road.

CORPORATE SUPPORT -- Centre Cat president Mr. Charles Kline, second from right, presents a cheque for $100,000 to The Council Partners chairperson Mrs.

Katherine Watson, second from left, as three members of Centre Cat's charity committee -- Miss Valerie Ball, Ms Judith Hall Tucker, and Mr. Paul Hasse -- look on.