Making a profit out of small change

With the advent of the euro, any small change from the countries affected will be useless, especially if you popped it in a drawer to use on holiday next year. That's according to Mike Lillico, who is behind the project launched yesterday to gather hoarded holiday currency from people's travels around Europe and use it to help disabled children on Majorca. Yesterday in Plaza Major, people gathered at the opening of the initiative, which could see thousands of pounds raised for charity. “I was cleaning out my office one day” said Mr Lillico, “and I came across money from Greece and Austria that I'd saved from last year. By next year it will be useless. On its own it is only worth about three thousand pesetas, but then it struck me that many people must have the same; leftover holiday money for use in the future.” He decided to promote the idea of gathering the money together in his social and cultural group; Circulo Europa Balears. This group has a wide mix of nationalities; half Spanish and the other half encompassing French, British, German, Austrian and Italian people, all of whom were very willing to get the scheme off the ground. Many sponsors were sought for the project, most large banks were friendly but ultimatly said “no” as it would only prove to be more work.