However, before they depart, Margaret will be visiting St Edmund's School near Ware to pick up a cheque raised by sales in their tuck shop and will have the opportunity to chat to students and explain why their donation is so important and how even amounts which may seem modest in terms of the UK economy can make a big difference in Gambia.
Our most ambitious plan is to build a small lodge on the North Bank near Fass School to provide simple accommodation for people visiting our projects. The need has arisen because of the difficulties of crossing the river from the tourist areas on the South Bank where all the holiday accommodation is located. There is no tourist accommodation on the North Bank but the ferry service is so slow and unreliable that it is almost impossible to make a visit to a project in one day including a river crossing from the South.
We plan to build a basic accommodation block which will provide a base for our supporters when they visit. Volunteers will have somewhere to live while they teach in the village schools and Chris and Margaret will be able to make extended visits to the North Bank without being hampered by long waits and time wasted on ferry crossings.
The Fundraising Committee held its first meeting of the year this week and outlined a programme of events including a summer Ceilidh, another of Marian's fantastic Luxury Afternoon Teas, a couple of quiz nights and a silly games barbecue evening for September! You may even see us dressed in African costume at Hertford Carnival! We're also looking to organise another 'meal with music'. So please check the blog regularly to see what we have planned.
We'd also really like to hear about events being planned in other places other than Stanstead Abbotts! We know that our supporters nationwide and beyond hold their own fundraisers and we'd like to feature you on the blog. So, if YOU are organising an event to support HELPING, please e-mail lesley@helpingcharity.org.uk with the details and we will include it in the blog.
DIARY DATES
Have a look below for forthcoming events you can put in your diary NOW!
April 15th - Annual General Meeting, 7.30pm, Wilshire Hall, Stanstead Abbotts. Chris and Margaret will be freshly returned from Gambia and will report on all our projects. All welcome.
May 6th - Standon May Day fete, Standon nr Ware
May 18th - Luxury Afternoon Tea, Stanstead Abbotts. This was a HUGE success last year and we were inundated with last minute bookings. As we have to limit ticket numbers, please e-mail marian@helpingcharity.org.uk to book early to avoid disappointment.
June 22nd - Ceilidh with live music and caller, Stanstead Abbotts. Booking details to follow.
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