Nine charities helping people in Rome will benefit from this years St Nicholas serata dinner dance on Sat 3 Dec.

These include the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta to help homeless people, Arch, which works with those who are HIV positive or have AIDS, and the St Nicholas Fund, which distributes money to various causes.

The event, sponsored by S. Susanna, the American Roman Catholic church in Rome (see page 12), includes music, an auction and a raffle with prizes including weekends in London, Paris and Positano.

The evening will take place at Marymount International School, Via di Villa Lauchili 180 (near Via Cassia), 19.00-01.00. Tickets cost e60. For booking tel. 0642014554.