A PROJECT co-ordinator with a Llanfyllin-based charity has thanked people in Oswestry and Mid Wales for their help in raising thousands of pounds for children in Uganda.

Val Talbot works with Dolen Ffermio Christmas gift catalogue which raised more than £6,000 for orphans and needy children in rural eastern Uganda this year through the gift catalogue.

Children do not go into orphanages in this part of Uganda but are cared for by their extended families, so the whole household benefits from the gifts bought by residents around the area.

She said: “Since 2012, 260 children in Ngora have each been given uniforms, shoes and stationery to keep them in school; mosquito nets to protect them against malaria.

“[They are give] training for three years in a wide range of valuable income generating skills and gifts of livestock and seeds to help them build sustainable livelihoods.

“Moses Ekoi, the leader of the Ngora project, has also sent his heartfelt thanks for helping to transform the children’s lives and give them hope for the future.

“In the UK we are all unpaid volunteers so that every penny raised is destined for the project and please don’t forget that the fundraising continues throughout the year.

“With our very grateful thanks to Rachael Sharpe, our volunteer organiser, who has worked so hard to deal with the donations, to David Goodman and Cordelia Weedon for designing the catalogue, Emyr Owen for Welsh translations and to volunteers and members who helped distribute catalogues and raise funds”.

If you would like to contribute, please send a cheque payable to Dolen Ffermio to Rachael at Fronlas Fach, Foel, Welshpool SY21 0NY, phone 01938 820535 or email dfcatalogue@outlook.com

For more information visit www.dolenffermio.org.uk, Twitter as @dolenffermio or Facebook as Dolen Ffermio.