regularly. Assistance is required in many areas. Others' personal crises occur every day. Physically and emotionally, the staff are stretched to the limit.

But at least there's the computer to ease their plight, right? Wrong! STAR, the AIDS-related registered charity, once relied heavily on a computer to help staff meet demands on its services. But it ceased to work some time ago, and the organisation has not been able to afford a replacement.

"We've had to take a giant step backwards to the manual world of typewriters and filing things ourselves,'' Mrs. Carolyn Armstrong, director of STAR and coordinator of Light House, the group's Smith's Parish home for homeless AIDS patients, explained. "Having no computer is a real disaster for us because there are only two paid employees and we are swamped with responsibilities.

Doing the office work manually has slowed us down terribly.'' While STAR has a group of willing volunteers, their assistance is only available during evenings and weekends, so the need for a computer to help the regular staff is truly pressing.

"We would be extremely grateful if someone or an organisation were kind enough to donate a computer,'' Mrs. Armstrong said. "It would make a terrific difference to our lives and free us up to spend more time with the people we help. They really need us.'' Anyone able to alleviate this problem should contact treasurer Mrs. Lois Wilson on 299-2400.

With regard to Light House, Mrs. Armstrong said it has been a great success, and the five formerly homeless people living there were not only happy but extremely proud of their new surroundings.

"The only way to describe the place is `beautiful'. It's so quiet and tranquil. All you hear is the sound of the birds and the ocean,'' Mrs.

Armstrong enthused. "I was there at 9.30 this morning and already the residents had had their breakfast, cleaned the house and mowed the lawn. They keep the place absolutely immaculate. We are as proud of them as they are of their new home.'' Paying tribute to the generosity of those who have donated equipment and furnishings to Light House, Mrs. Armstrong said they had just two needs now: a washing machine and some lawn furniture.

"Again, STAR cannot afford to buy these items, so we are appealing for public assistance on these items too. The lawn furniture does not have to be brand new, of course. Provided it is in reasonably good condition, our volunteers can sand and repaint it if necessary.'' The washing machine must be capable of handling the laundry of a five-person household.

Anyone able to help with the home's needs should contact the STAR office on 292-5941.