Hereford-based charity Concern Universal (CU) has chalked up a major milestone in its 27-year history - the 100th board meeting.

Formed by a handful of volunteers in 1976, the organisation now has more than 500 employees world-wide and has helped millions of people through its programs of agriculture, education and health care.

Schools and groups around Herefordshire have also benefited from CU's educational programmes through visits from overseas staff and other projects that have given them an insight into other cultures, countries and the problems of poverty.

Steady growth

In recognition of its good work, CU was named Community Business of the Year in 2002 and was a finalist for the Linking Business and Education award in 2003 - both for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire area.

As part of the programme with county schools, pupils at St Mary's Primary, Fownhope, were joined by Hereford MP Paul Keetch in meeting team members from CU.

Hereford-born Ian Williams, aged 38, took over as executive director for CU in 1998 and has steered the organisation through a period of steady growth.

Mr Williams said: "We are extremely proud to have reached such a significant milestone from such humble beginnings and our success just goes to show what an impact a few "concerned" people can have on the lives of others.

"We're looking forward to the next few years and a chance to become involved in issues affecting the lives of people closer to home, in Herefordshire, and expanding on the work already underway in schools and other groups around the county."

As part of the celebrations, CU hosted a choir concert extravaganza at Hereford's Shirehall called Seeds for Peace - a theme designed to highlight the 100th meeting and the devastating impact of poverty and related issues such as war.

Mr Williams added: "We are somewhat unique in being based the region and we have had wonderful support from people in the area in a variety of ways.

"For instance, Mike Lloyd, financial director at Kington Building Supplies is a trustee of the organisation and provides tremendous support.

"Also being based outside of a big city has the added advantage of allowing us to keep our overheads as low as possible meaning 98p for every pound raised goes to our work."