A DAD and his sons are preparing to make a difference to a community in Uganda when they fly out with a team of 25 Cheshire residents on Tuesday, February 9.

Mark Walton, 51, and his sons Sam, 26, and Josh, 24, will spend two weeks in Jinja with the team, carrying out renovation work in a hospital, visiting schools and health centres and taking supplies of reading glasses, baby clothes and other items.

They will concentrate on transforming a maternity ward that currently provides no privacy or dignity for women giving birth.

Mark, a lecturer in agriculture at Reaseheath College, in Nantwich, also hopes to create links with Nile Vocational Institute while in Uganda.

Mark first visited Uganda for the first time in 2000 and went again in 2003 with a team of people from Altrincham Baptist Church.

Sam, a farm ranger at Tatton Park, and Josh, a teacher at Petty Pool Vocational College, in Sandiway, have been fundraising for the trip.

A charity night takes place at The Windmill on Saturday, February 6, complete with a live band, a disco and an auction for donated prizes like a Totally Tatton ticket, a ride in a hot air balloon and a spa day.

Mark is also holding a 'Wang A Wet Sponge Day' in the stocks at Reaseheath College.

The Uganda trip is organised by UgandAid, a charity that sponsors young people enabling them to acquire a vocational life skill.

Anna Walton, Mark's wife and mum to Sam and Josh, said: "I'm immensely proud of my lads."

For more information contact Mark on 07774 452606.