More than a dozen people were certified recently as group and/or personal physical fitness instructors, the Fitness Firm announced this week.

Individuals who were certified as both group and personal fitness trainers include Mr. Geoff Merritt, Ms Jo Payne, Ms Fiona Rivaz, Ms Gabriele Tulin, Ms Jayne Ward and Mr. Tony White, while those who were certified as personal fitness trainers only include Ms Grace Maloney, Ms Barbara Elkin, Ms Shelley Eve, Mr. Christopher Terry, Mr. Darren Ruhr and Ms Brenda Harrison.

Mr. Stephen Gair, meanwhile, was granted his certification as a group exercise leader solely.

The Fitness Firm, whose mandate it is to "provide professional training courses for (the Island's) fitness leaders'', conducted its instruction programmes with the Bermuda College's Centre for Adult and Continuing Education over the past winter and spring.

Certification as a group exercise leader will enable the graduates, who had little previous training in the field, to "lead safe and effective group classes'', the Fitness Firm said.

The personal fitness trainer instruction, moreover, allows the graduates to provide individualised training at an advanced level.

Both of the Fitness Firm's programmes, which are offered annually, include training in exercise science, nutrition, safety and programming.

All of the classes were conducted in the evening.

*** The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Bermuda, meanwhile, collected some $8,500 during its recent carnation campaign, campaign chairman Ms Yvette Butterfield reported this week.

Held on May 12 in conjunction with a simultaneous MS campaign in Canada, the Bermudian cash drive marked the first-ever MS tag-day to be held on the Island.

During the campaign, Society volunteers distributed red carnations in Hamilton in exchange for small donations.

The 20-member Society, which aims to raise public awareness about the chronic and progressive disease, applies about a third of its resources to MS research.

*** At noon today, the Bermuda Chapter of Professional Secretaries International will hold a lunchtime seminar on interviewing skills.

Featuring guest speaker Ms Gilda Furbert, a manager at Government Employment Services, the seminar will be held at BPSA headquarters on the corner of Angle and Cedar Streets in Hamilton.

*** Speaking on the development of various charities in Bermuda, Lady Swan lauded the Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs of Bermuda recently in a speech to the Paget Lions Club, pointing out that organisation's speedy and unsolicited response to the needs of the community in particular.

Recently, the Premier's wife noted, the Paget club was quick to provide a bus shelter outside the entrance of the Purvis Park senior citizens' complex before it was asked by anyone to contribute.

"They did not wait for someone else to provide the bus shelter,'' Lady Swan was reported to have said, "but got on with the work themselves, showing leadership and initiative.'' The Paget club, chartered in 1986, is one of the youngest Lions clubs in Bermuda.

FIT AND FUN -- Some of the recently certified trainers from the Fitness Firm's group and personal trainer programmes urge on colleague Mr. Christopher Terry (in foreground) during a recent round of push-ups. Pictured (from left to right) are Fitness Firm instructor Mrs. Anne Mello, fellow instructor Ms Ellen Lopes, Ms Barbara Elkin, Ms Jayne Ward, Mr. Terry, Ms Shelley Eve and Mr. Tony White.