A 40-foot shipping container bound for poverty-stricken Malawi has been loaded up in Arbroath.
Volunteers from St Andrew’s Church were helped by Royal Marines from RM Condor with a variety of goods.
They included educational and medical supplies, football strips and boots, clothes, toiletries, books, toys, bikes and gifts.
Sheila Dunphy, from the St Andrew’s Church Malawi Group, said: “We are grateful to the marines who gave their time to help load the container so quickly.
“We would also like to thank RGS Forfar who provide us with storage facilities all year round as well as packing boxes and the use of their forklift amongst other things.
“Thanks too to the many people in and around Arbroath who have donated all the supplies with which the container is filled. A special mention must also go to Timmergreens, Ladyloan and Colliston schools for the provision of surplus to requirement school furniture, equipment and teaching resources all of which will make a huge difference at our centres.”
St Andrew’s Church fully fund two orphan centres in southern Malawi which are run on their behalf by Aquaid Lifeline a charity run by John Searle.
These two centres feed, clothe, educate and provide medical care for around 300 children.
St Andrew’s run a sponsored child project which for £10 a month links people with a child in one of their two centres.
As well as the sponsorship programme, St Andrew’s holds regular fundraising events for the work. The next one is a craft fair which will be held in the church hall on Saturday November 29.
As well as many local crafters showcasing their work, there will be a chance to learn more about the work in Malawi.
To donate supplies for the next container, support the work, or find out more information about sponsorship, contact Sheila Dunphy on 0775 246 7654 or the church office on 01241 431135.