Kendal generosity is touching

12:06pm Monday 29th September 2008

A KENDAL vicar has been touched by the generosity of the town's people after an overwhelming contribution to a charity appeal.

More than 50 bags of school equipment including stationary, toiletries, sports equipment and clothing have been donated to Kendal Unitarian Church for their Malawi Backpacks Appeal.

After reading an article in a magazine about a school in Malawi, Reverend Celia Cartwright decided it would be the perfect appeal for harvest festival.

“I thought we would fill maybe 10 or 20 bags but the response has been amazing. I just think it's a marvellous community effort,” said Rev Cartwright.

“It's just captured hearts in the way that other appeals haven't. I don't think we have ever done anything like this before,”

“This is Kendal responding. I think it just shows the kind hearted nature of the people of Kendal. They are caring people who have been coming to the coffee mornings. We've not reached out and asked them for anything before but it's produced a roomful of stuff.

“It's an amazing response. Education is a route out of poverty and I think people in Kendal in particular realise that.”

Rev Cartwright says several people have donated supplies in bulk.

“One man who used to work in Clarks used his discount to buy 25 pairs of sandals and one lady bought a whole load of gingham school dresses that had been discounted to 50p each.”

Many children in Malawi have to walk more than seven miles to get to school. The donations will ensure as many children as possible are able to attend school.

The donations will be taken by van to the collection centre in Glasgow by a member of the Kendal congregation, Mr Metcalf.

Rev Cartwright hopes to keep in contact with the people of Malawi and intends to write to the children at Mbandanga School.

Editor's Choice