quietly helping students further their education.

"For over 50 years Hamilton Rotarians have been donating funds to assist Bermuda students in the financing of their education,'' explained Hamilton Rotary Club President Gil Tucker.

"The programme has assisted well over 90 students and, in honour of our 75th anniversary we have profiled three of our past and present recipients.'' In 1957, the club awarded $450 to George Cook, now president of the Bermuda College.

Although apparently a modest sum by modern standards, inflation rates have come a long way since then and Dr. Cook said the money was crucial to his education.

"The Hamilton Rotary Club loan made all the difference in the world,'' he said. "I wouldn't have been able to go university without it.'' Dr. Cook studied at the undergraduate and graduate level at Dalhousie University and went on to attain a PhD at Oxford/Brasenose College.

The club also supported another community leader, Delcina Bean-Burrows, the executive director of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade.

Ms Bean-Burrows was given $2,000 loans in 1986 and 1993 and is a graduate of the Harvard and Kent State universities.

"The Hamilton Rotary Club loan made the difference in being able to pay for incidental expenses such as books and air fares,'' Ms Bean-Burrows explained.

One of the club's recent recipients is Lynette Thomas who was awarded $3,000 last year.

She attends the Meharry Medical College in Tennessee and plans to graduate in 2000.

Like her fellow awardees, she credits the Hamilton Rotary as having played a crucial role in her education.

"Money should never be a barrier to a good education,'' she said. "Where potential exists, no-one should ever be excluded from any career based on their socio-economic status.'' Gifford Stanton, chairman of the Loan Committee, said the club awarded between ten and twenty interest free loans each year.

Although larger awards and scholarships exist in Bermuda, Mr. Stanton said the aim of the club's loans was to make life easier for students who had already secured most of their school finances.

"The idea is to help students financially move on and improve their education,'' he said. "We really want to help people in any way we can.'' Mr. Stanton said the committee often supported students pursuing trade careers. The committee also encouraged students to look to the Bermuda College as a cheaper, but still excellent alternative, to overseas schools.

Anyone interested in applying for an interest free loan should contact Mr.

Stanton at Marley Beach Cottages at 236-1143.