the setting up of a charitable trust, it was announced yesterday.

Mr. Quinton B. Bean said that the scope of the original support group, formed soon after the quintuplets were born to Mr. and Mrs. Troy W. Smith on October 27 last year, has since been widened and listed as a registered charity.

"A few of us, including the grandparents, pastors, and Mr. Nelson Bascome MP got together while the babies were still at Howard University Hospital to see how we could be of assistance. Gifts were already pouring in and I was asked to help organise the financial side of things,'' he said.

As the magnitude of the rare, multi-birth hit home, the group approached fund-raising expert Mr. Richard M. Gorham for his help in masterminding a future plan for the children's overall welfare.

The charitable trust became a reality last week, with a board of governors appointed to oversee the quintuplets' financial and educational interests.

Mr. Gorham heads the board as chairman, with Mr. Bean as secretary. Other members include Mr. Bascome, Mrs. Melanie Collins, Mr. C. Jerome Dill, Mr.

J.H. Lightbourne and Mr. Terry Lister.

Mr. Gorham said: "This is a tremendous event for Bermuda. There are only six sets of quintuplets in the world -- three in the US, one in Canada, and one in Britain. All of these countries have populations running into millions and millions, so for Bermuda, with only 60,000, it is quite remarkable. They really are `treasures of Bermuda'.'' He said the board was gratified by the assistance already given by individuals, companies and service clubs to the Smith family: "We are now actively exploring various avenues of financial assistance. On behalf of the board I would like to say that we offer our fullest support to Mr. and Mrs.

Smith and appreciate all they are doing to make the quintuplets a pride and joy for all Bermuda.'' TRUST FOR QUINTS -- Mr. Quinton B. Bean (left) and Mr. Richard M. Gorham, who have been named as secretary and chairman of the charitable trust that has just been formed to benefit the Smith quintuplets. The trust grew out of the original support group which helped the Smiths when they returned home with their five babies from Howard University Hospital in Washington.