Communities unite to help African children

Photo from Hands At Work on Flickr

SCHOOL, church and community groups from Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley are uniting to fund hands-on work by volunteers to help children affected by Aids in South Africa.

In July next year a group of volunteers including businessmen, mums, and churchgoers is set to visit South Africa to help two charities providing life-saving support for orphaned and vulnerable children.

The visit to the White River region (Mpmumalanga) will be the culmination of a community-wide fundraising collaboration uniting the two villages, known as the Link4Life project.

This includes eight pupils from both Great Wyrley High School and Cheslyn Hay Sport and Community High School, as well as two teachers from each school. Eleven people from Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay are also going, plus two youth workers.

Charities being helped are Hands@work – A Christian charity working to help those orphaned by or otherwise affected by HIV/Aids and Mercy Air – another Christian charity which uses aircraft to reach people in need. Mercy Air is often involved in medical evacuations and aid relief flights.

Those who take part in the trip will shadow charity workers as well as providing practical help such as working on building or gardening projects, packaging food, clothing and medication. More information can be found here.

A series of fundraising events and initiatives is planned to help fund the volunteers’ visit and these kick off on Saturday October 3 with a musical evening at Great Wyrley Community Centre, in Landywood Lane, which is £5 a ticket and includes variety of musical styles - from swing to pop.

The visit is being led by Reverend Richard Westwood, from St Andrew’s Church in Great Wyrley, and his wife Rose, who have already visited the region twice and wanted to spread the word about the charities and offer them more help.

Rev Westwood said: “Those who take part in the visit will accompany, watch and encourage some of the work being done and where appropriate, help in practical ways.”

But Rev Westwood is also very keen to stress the project is a community-wide effort and thank supporters for all their help so far. St Andrew’s, Salem and Great Wyrley Methodist churches are also boosting awareness.

He said: “There has been a wonderful response. All who have pledged their support were enthusiastic about the project. We really want to have plenty of people involved and there are roles in the coming months for everyone who want to play a part, even if they don't plan to come on the visit itself.”

One supporter is Andy Evans, managing director at Bridgtown-based EDS Couriers.

Andy said: “This is a phenomenal visit which can transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable children. Anything we can do at EDS to help the volunteers will be an absolute pleasure.”