City Link back African charity project
UK express company City Link is backing a brand new appeal to send thousands of pairs of pants and bras to young boys and girls in Africa. The appeal – Smalls For All – has been started by Livingston woman Maria Macnamara and follows a recent volunteering holiday to Ethiopia.
During her two week stay in September Maria worked in an orphanage with hundreds of boys and girls up to 16. On her return she decided she wanted to do something more to help the poverty-stricken country. In October she set up a website and an appeal to send underwear for boys and girls.
She called on the help of City Link to deliver 1,000 pairs of pants to Addis Ababa. The appeal has had the backing of several businesses and individuals in the Edinburgh area and since October she has collected more than 5,500 pairs.
Maria said: “There is a real problem with poverty. When I returned I felt I had to do something. I have been rallying help from people ever since and have had some fantastic support. And for City Link to say they will transport them to Addis Ababa for free is tremendous. I am actively applying for charity status but am self funding this project at the moment and thanks to their generosity I am now able to travel to Kenya early next year when I will take more underwear to a refugee camp, helping thousands more people.”
The delivery is being organised by City Link’s Edinburgh Depot. Thomas Hunter, general manager, said he and his colleagues were only too delighted to help.
He said: “We were touched by Maria’s story from her stay in Ethiopia and when she asked for our help we were only too delighted to do what we could.
“We picked up the pants on Monday and they are being transported to the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa.”
Maria called for anyone else who would like to help the appeal to log on to www.smallsforall.wordpress.com
