5_Stone & Eccleshall 81_20-25.qxp_MAG PAGES 29/07/2022 11:37 Page 4
VOLUNTEERING
Sylvia set for mission trip abroad
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ccleshall Rotarian Sylvia Keris, who is an Ambassador for the charity The Buddy Bag Foundation, has been given a place on a team of volunteers going with the Charity Mission Direct, on a two week project to Zambia. The Buddy Bag Foundation helps children in the UK taken away from domestic abuse into safety, with a backpack of essential items. Sylvia said: “The charity will be working with their established long term project partners in the country, who help children living on the streets of Lusaka - many of whom will have fled from domestic abuse, or whose family can no longer afford to keep them, or because of their disabilities. “So the team will be helping these vulnerable children, at risk of further abuse, trafficking, in need of medical care, and some teenage girls who have babies with them on the streets. “Each volunteer on the team has to raise £2,000 for their place on the team, and I had already raised half this amount by early 2020, the original date of my overseas project, before Covid postponed all travel. “The Development Aid project is now rescheduled for the Autumn of 2022, and I have begun selling tickets for my Grand Raffle draw again, to raise funds for the project work and donate aid items to the medical and other organizations working with the street children.” The raffle draw is set to take place in mid August.
Sylvia said: “Tickets are selling at £1, and local businesses have generously donated prizes including vouchers for meals at London House Restaurant, The Smithy and The Royal Oak. “There are also family entrance tickets to Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre, tickets for Eccleshall Community Cinema, Holistic therapy, Print by Stone Artist Craig Sumner, History of Stafford illustrated reference Book, and family board games.” Sylvia will be outside the Co-op store in Eccleshall selling raffle tickets, by kind permission of Co-Op Manager John James, on a number of occasions before the draw; or people can phone her for tickets on 01785 851005. Sylvia added: “I am also happy to give illustrated talks to groups such as Rotary, WI, churches or any other local organisations on my charity project work - either before or on my return from Zambia trip - in return for a donation towards the Zambia project.” Anyone wishing to support Sylvia’s charity work, contact her on 01785 851005.
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