first major fund raiser of the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation.

The $210,000 cheque represents money bequeathed by the late Mrs. Madeline Talbot specifically to assist the mentally ill of Bermuda.

The money has been earmarked for the Foundation's Capital Property Acquisition Fund.

It will be used to purchase, renovate and refurbish the first communal residence for people with mental health needs.

The Foundation will also be launching a campaign to develop public awareness of mental illness to facilitate the integration of the mentally ill into the community.

It also aims to set up community-based support groups for the mentally ill and their families and act as a private advocacy group for the rights and needs of the mentally ill in Bermuda.

Yesterday Deputy Chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Board Mr. Clement Talbot said his aunt, the late Mrs. Talbot, had a lifelong interest in the cause of the handicapped because her only son from her previous marriage was mentally handicapped and spent most of his life in St. Brendan's Hospital.

"She was very grateful to St. Brendan's for the services they rendered and their caring nature. She wanted to set aside money that would provide care for the mentally handicapped,'' Mr. Talbot said.

The Bermuda Mental Health Foundation aims to provide low cost housing for the partially mentally handicapped.

FIRST FUNDRAISER -- Bermuda Hospitals Board chairman Mr. Robert Tucker, second left, yesterday kicked off the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation's first fundraiser with a $210,000 donation to honorary chairman Lady Waddington. Also shown from left are BHB deputy Chairman Mr. Clement Talbot and Foundation executive committee members Sen. Norma Astwood and Dr. Stanley Ratteray.