Rotary clubs in Telford unite to help Kenya truck project
Rotary clubs in Telford area are joining forces to raise £6,000 to buy a Toyota truck to support the work of a Shropshire-based charity working to transform the prospects of poor African communities.
The funding campaign for Greenfields Africa, which provides education and healthcare for children and adults in the Kakamega rain forest of western Kenya, was launched at the Ramada Hotel in Telford.
John Morris-Roberts, of Telford Centre Rotary Club, which heard a talk by Brian and Barbara Hatton of the charity, said: "The six Rotary clubs of the Telford & Wrekin area are looking to combine their resources to jointly fund this project to support this Telford-based charity at Paul Rossco House, 30 Hortonwood industrial estate.
"It is hoped to secure additional funding contributions by way of a district grant application.
"The Rotary clubs of Newport, The Wrekin, Newport Lite and Telford Centre have already made firm commitments to supporting this project and special thanks go to Rotarian David Askin of Newport club for acting as the lead Rotarian in the district grant application process.
"We are also very much encouraged that the Ironbridge and Wellington clubs very much hope to be supporting the project and to confirm matters within the next few weeks.
"Brian and Barbara Hatton, supported by the charity trustees, provided a powerful presentation explaining the history of the charity and the work it does and how the truck will be used to the benefit of the local community to sustain various social enterprises and improve the lives of people in the poorest part of Kenya.
"It was also mentioned that they were at the moment collecting blankets for kids in Syria, where there are so many deaths of children."
The Telford Centre club has already taken dozens of blankets to the warehouse at Hortonwood.
The stated mission of Greenfields Africa is to transform poor African communities by promoting self-reliance through healthcare, welfare and education. It works directly with communities or with small but well established charities in an area.
