CHARITY founders Ian and Glynn Jones have less a month to find a new base to store a mountain of items destined for The Gambia.
The Weaverham couple have built four nursery schools in the West African country since setting up Shine Africa in 1996.
They decided to do something to help after visiting a nursery school desperately in need of a new building and resources when they were on holiday.
They also raise money to help pay the wages of staff at the schools, ship out containers of educational equipment and books and provide mosquito nets for children.
They also send out clothing, and donate unwanted medical equipment for hospitals in The Gambia. Items not suitable to be sent out are sold to raise money for teachers’ wages.
The donated equipment, books and clothing is stored in a warehouse in Ash Street, Northwich, but Ian, 65, and Glynn, 63, have to find a new home for the items by the end of this month as the warehouse has been sold.
“The warehouse contains thousands of books, school equipment, medical equipment such as crutches and Zimmer frames, and clothing,” said Ian.
“I am hoping someone has a unit the size of a double garage where we could store the stuff on a short or long-term loan basis.
“It would be a sin to the equipment and the people who donated it to have to take things to the tip if we couldn’t find a new storage base.
“The unit would have to be dry and lockable, and ideally in the Northwich area. If someone came forward with an offer of a unit it would be Christmas come early for me.”
A total of more than 500 children aged three to eight attend the schools built by the charity, which provides mosquito nets to tackle the deadly threat posed by malaria.
“One of four Gambian children do not see their seventh birthday because of malaria, and we buy nets for the all the starters at the schools,” said Ian.
“I am hopeful we can find a new storage unit, but am also realistic, and at the moment am sorting through stuff to prioritise what I daren’t throw away in case we don’t find anything.”
If anyone can help with a unit please call Ian on 077148 24822 or email ianshineafrica@gmail.com
The charity also has a facebook page, Shine Africa The Gambia.
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