WHITE water rafting may not be something you’d associate with Letchworth Round Table, but next weekend members of the charitable organisation will be doing exactly that.

Nine members aged between 17 and 46 will be taking on the challenging Broxbourne course, purpose-built for next year’s London 2012 Olympic Games, in a bid to raise �1500 for their charity of the year - Letchworth and Baldock District Scouts.

Reporter Nick Gill met Letchworth Round Table’s new chairman, Ian Hunt, ahead of the fundraiser to find out about the changing nature of an organisation which was set up in 1927.

NG: Essentially what is Letchworth Round Table about?

IH: Raising money and then getting that money back into the community.

We’re not a secret society, you don’t need to be invited, we’re not elitist and there’s no secret handshakes. It’s completely open.

There are some traditions at Round Table but our primary aim is to have fun and from that help people in the community.

NG: Why did you get involved?

IH: I joined Round Table in London and later joined Letchworth table because when I moved here I didn’t know anyone from the area. It’s a chance to make new friends and have a great time.

NG: Best memories?

IH: It’s the big events we do like the Three Peaks Challenge, doing coast to coast bike rides where everyone is working towards the same aim but really having a laugh while you do it.

There’s the small things too - when we do our Christmas parcel deliveries, now in its 50th year, and you see what it means to these people. Some of the letters we get back after Christmas are really heartfelt and it shows the difference it’s made to their lives.

I’ve done lots of things through Round Table that I just wouldn’t have done otherwise.

NG: How do you help the community?

IH: We have got money in reserve at the moment - we’re not talking big money but if there are people in need we may be able to help. We’ve also got manpower - we helped do marshalling for the Garden House Hospice’s Starlight Walk event and in the past we’ve cleared out people’s gardens.

NG: What’s next for the Letchworth Round Table?

IH: We’re trying to reinvigorate ourselves as members have retired and we need to get new blood in. There’s a good group of young lads coming through but we need new members to continue what we’re doing.

For more information about the organisation visit www.letchworthroundtable.co.uk

*To make a �2 donation to Letchworth Round Table’s white water rafting fundraiser next Saturday in aid of Letchworth and Baldock District Scouts text RAFT11 �2 to 70070