MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly 'Penguin News' Update

F. Robson, K. George and M. Plato from SWN 'Rocked for Life' play at a packed FIDF hall

Headlines: Yomping and rocking for life; Accounting blunder leaves Landholdings short of cash; Happy birthday Clyde.

Yomping and rocking for lifeANDY Brownlee and Louise Taylor left Stanley on their Yomp for Life in the early hours of Wednesday morning with a spring in their step and the full support of the community. With 144 miles ahead of them on a circuit that takes them to Blue Beach and back via the Estancia and adverse weather conditions to cope with on the first of five days, the determined pair made good time to Mount Pleasant, even though the first blister had made an appearance on Louise's foot by Fitzroy Ridge. "It was the size of a hen egg and they used a huge needle to drain the fluid out," said an obviously fascinated Andy as he sang the praises of the reception they received at Mount Pleasant. "The Commander British Forces sanctioned everything and opened the doors of Mount Pleasant to us - every one was just superb," he added. Andy and Louise visited the MPA messes in the evening where generous donations were added to their bucket. "We didn't have time to count it, but boy it was heavy," said a very grateful Andy on Thursday. The fund raising for a medical team from Santiago, Chile with a mobile mammogram unit has received massive support from all corners of the Islands over the last year. Andy himself has run both the Standard Chartered Marathon and the Cape Pembroke half marathon to raise funds, while fellow cancer sufferer Michelle Minnell organised a successful raffle. Following on from the 'Run for Life' event, when more than 350 women took to the streets for a five kilometer run, Community School students held a 'Pink Day' and on the weekend local band SWN 'Rocked for Life' to a packed FIDF hall, raising more than £3,500 for the campaign. Demonstrating the broad cross section of the community behind the initiative, West Falkland farmer Tex Alazia on the eve of the yomp, generously donated his earnings from sheep shearing on other farms. Including the current pledges from individuals and companies for the Yomp for Life event, Andy and Louise look set to bring the grand total up to at least £15,000 when they complete the distance. While theirs is a true test of endurance, they are keen to make it a community event and invite anyone who has the stamina to join them for any part of the yomp, particularly on the last leg from the Estancia on Sunday. The quarry or even Sapper Hill might appeal to families with young children, said Andy. "We're going to need some moral support by then and the more that join us, the better the message that breast screening for cancer is very important will get across." Accounting blunder leaves Landholdings short of cashDUE to a mistake in budget calculations Falkland Landholdings (FLH) require a quarter of a million pound overdraft, rather than the £70,000 forecast, to provide cash flow while awaiting wool and meat income. Financial Controller Bernie Goodwin discovered the error having recently returned to her post, following a sabbatical. She told a meeting of the Board on Monday that budget calculation errors in March of this year left the bank balance £120,000 away from the envisioned position in June. In addition, the company has variances against current budget due to £60,000 less wool income received to date. These two items added to the anticipated overdraft make up the estimated required overdraft amount of £250,000. Future forecasts have been made using the farm manager's budgets and using present day fuel costs which would at present leave an estimated negative cash balance of £11,800 in July next year. It is anticipated the funding will be sought from Standard Chartered Bank. FLH Chairman Councillor Ian Hansen confirmed that funding on a similar level had been obtained successfully in the past. Councillor Mike Summers said he was at a loss to understand how the mistake had been made and questioned how the Board hadfailed to notice there was an error on being presented with the accounts in the past. Chief Executive Tim Thorogood said he also had concerns when it looked like FLH were to run out of cash in two years time in the earlier projections. A full report needed to be put to Executive Council next week and the staff needed to work through it properly, "rather than fire-fighting," he added. The estimated cost of a £250,000 overdraft is a set up fee of up to £2,500 plus interest charges which will vary depending on the extent to which the facility is used. Ms Goodwin said the £4,000 available in the budget may not be sufficient to cover this. Happy birthday ClydeCELEBRATING its first year in the Falklands HMS Clydewill be alongside FIPASS on Saturday and welcomes visitors to the ship between 1.30 and 4pm. Find out more about the patrol vessels activities and celebrations on page 15. Inside Penguin News- Page 3: New manager for Millers - Page 4: Draft Constitution formally submitted to HMG - Page 6: Your letters - Centre: Craft Fair