LATEST NEWS

The Lodge
As our previous photo shows, The Lodge is nearing completion and reports from our staff in Gambia are very favourable.  We understand the builder has done an excellent job and exceeded the specification, building us an extra room for use as an office, plus patios at the front, all free of charge.  The builder hopes our Lodge will act as a showcase for his company and their skills, in case any of our future visitors want to build a house in Gambia.  Chris and Margaret are planning to visit in August to carry out a final inspection before signing off the project and paying the balance of the monies owed.

Fund Raisers
We have received a number of fantastic donations recently but continue to be surprised by the inventiveness of our supporters and fundraisers - their ideas are sometimes simple but very effective, for example, we received a sizeable cheque from people who run exercise classes and charge a small price for a drink following classes, alongside a request that people donate any small change their have in their purse or pocket - this simple idea really swelled the amount they were able to raise!

We have recently purchased a heavy duty gazebo to cover our fundraising stalls, having suffered downpours at many events over the past couple of years!  It's bright yellow and should make us easy to find!

There are still tickets available for the Ceilidh Barn Dance in Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall on June 22.  This features a live band and caller and a donation bar.  Tickets from Margaret 01920 871245.

We will be taking part in Hertford Carnival on June 23 with a crafts stall on Hartham Common after the parade.

Look out for the HELPING crew at Ware Week carnival on July 6 where we will have supporters walking in the parade and running a stall. 

On July 20, 3rd Ware Scouts are holding a Tea at their building in Broadmeads, Ware.  This troop has already raised £500 to install solar panels at their twinned Gambian school, and HELPING has been invited to use their outside space during the Tea to have a stall to raise money to provide computers at that school. 

Looking further ahead, we are holding another Church Lunch at Stanstead Abbotts church on Thursday August 1 from 1pm - 2pm.  Lunch is free with guests giving a donation afterwards.  We have run these lunches before and they are very popular.

AND FINALLY - one of our Gambian vehicles has come to the end of the road, quite literally!  We now need to find a replacement which can withstand the rigours of African roads, is not too thirsty for diesel and can carry a fair amount of boxes and rice sacks!  It needs to be something we can buy spare parts for in Gambia, which really narrows down our choices, and the favoured vehicle would probably be something like a Mercedes Sprinter.  If anyone has any contacts in the motor trade who might be able to help us secure a suitable vehicle at a charity price, please get in touch with Margaret on 01920 871245 or via email at margaret@helping-gambia.org.uk.