Auction action to fight poverty (From Worcester News)

Auction action to fight poverty

2:57pm Tuesday 22nd December 2009

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BUSINESSES and local people stuck to their promises and raised thousands of pounds to help the fight against poverty in Africa.

Villagers in Pound Green, near Bewdley, raised £7,139 at an auction of promises for charity Self Help Africa, which helps farmers escape poverty by giving them food and livestock to grow and rear.

The event was organised by Trish and Harry Page. Villagers bid for top promises which had been donated by businesses and local people. Items for auction included home-made cakes, rounds of golf, fitness club membership, horse riding, massage, fishing, decorating, wine, gardening and ironing.

The idea for the auction came to Ms Page when she went to holiday to Africa.

She said: “We saw that some organisations send goods or money to Africa, but there is no guarantee that the donated kindness will end up with the people for whom it was intended.

“This is not the case with our chosen charity, as Self Help Africa ensures that the donations are put to good use by providing seeds or livestock, along with training.”

Steve Langdon, UK director of Self Help Africa, said the money would help hundreds of people.

He said: “The money is much appreciated and we are all thankful to Trish and Harry and the generosity of the community.”

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