A MALVERN couple who have spent years raising thousands of pounds for a Gambian village are to meet the nation's president on their next visit.

Margaret and Joe Loader have recently returned from a sixth visit to Kiersering, where they helped complete the building of a communal home for otherwise homeless families.

Malvern's Chase High and Grove Junior schools have joined Hanley Castle High in helping the Loaders raise £3,000 for the project.

"We've come back feeling pleased with what this money's helped us to achieve," said Mrs Loader, of Knapp Way, Malvern. "The families moved in just before our return home.

"It was lovely to see them there. They were all really pleased. You can't explain how they felt."

Eight families - 28 people in total - are living in the home.

Now, the couple have received an invitation from President Yahya AJJ Jammeh to meet him when they return to the West African country next year.

"We're very excited about meeting the president," said Mrs Loader, who works at the Mowbray Nursing Home, in Malvern.

"It's an honour and I'm looking forward to it."

The Loaders plan to visit next March to fit pipes in the home.

Mrs Loader, who is 66, has also embarked on her own project of helping new mothers.

On her trip she visited the Royal Victoria Hospital in Banjul, capital of the Gambia.

"I was so shocked," she said. "It was unbelievable. While I was there, a mother gave birth to premature triplets. Because they only had two oxygen cylinders in the whole department, one died. It's heartbreaking. You have to stand by and do nothing."

Mrs Loader hopes to boost basic supplies at the hospital with packages of sheets, baby clothes and medical equipment.

Anyone who wants to help can contact the couple on 01684 575150.