VOLUNTEERS who travelled to Africa to work with a Worcester-based charity have spoken about their rewarding trip.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, cosmetics chain Lush vowed to support the Fresh Start Foundation after a meeting with the charity’s founder Lamin Daffeh.

Mr Daffeh and his wife Rebecca run the charity from their home in Rainbow Hill, Worcester.

They hope to change the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children living in the Gambia through education and healthcare.

A total of 15 Lush employees, including the firm’s founder Rowena Bird, spent 10 days in the west African country last month.

While they were there, the team helped to decorate a school in the town of Kwinella, plant a garden, paint murals and organise the school’s library.

Lush’s charitable giving manager Sophie Pritchard said: “The trip far exceeded all my hopes and expectations. I wouldn’t change a single second of it. The work was hard but rewarding and the people from the Fresh Start Foundation, the school, the children and the wider community were warm, welcoming and a real inspiration.

“I wasn’t expecting to gain so much personally from this experience, but I came back with a whole new perspective on life and a determination to find a way to create a little of the community spirit and happiness of the people of Kwinella back here in the UK.”

Mr Daffeh said: “The Fresh Start Foundation’s partnership with Lush has already made a significant improvement in the lives of vulnerable children in the Gambia.

“Their volunteering work will not only create life-long benefits for the poor rural communities here, but will also provide them with a positive personal experience.”

For more information about the charity, including how to donate or volunteer, visit fsfgambia.org.