* A sachet of volcanic ash from the Caribbean island of Montserrat (where a volcano erupted in 1995) is being sent out with a letter to heads of UK secondary schools by the charity Montserrat Aid Committee 89. MAC89 hopes to raise awareness among British schoolchildren of the plight of Montserrat’s inhabitants, especially its children, and of the devastating implications of “this living geography lesson”. Schools sending in donations by February 2 will be entered in a draw offering prizes of a return trip to Montserrat for three GCSE students. Funds raised will go towards a children’s mobile library. The letter also offers a volcano resource box for pound;50 plus postage and packing, available in February. Details: MAC89, 13 Hyde Park Gardens, London N21, tel: 0181 360 2392.