Hastings people support children in Sierra Leone twin town by attending charity ball

Plans to provide improved sanitation in Hastings' Sierra Leone twin town received a major boost from a Charity Ball on Saturday November 3.
Sierra Leone Ball 1 SUS-180711-134253001Sierra Leone Ball 1 SUS-180711-134253001
Sierra Leone Ball 1 SUS-180711-134253001

Over 100 guests raised almost £3,000 as they dined to a classical performance by Jada and Steven Marsh and danced the night away to the music of renowned local band The Kytes.

Organiser Lynn White said: “We are delighted by the success of the event and the amount raised for the Schools’ Sanitation Project. We are extremely grateful to all those who gave their time making the event such a success or donated prizes for the raffle and auction on the night. Without their support we could not have achieved such a great result”

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Sierra Leone Ball 2 SUS-180711-134531001
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Chairman of the Friendship Link Richard Homewood, added: “We would also especially like to thank Dani and the team at the Montgomerie Suite for their service and support, and the musicians who gave their time and skills free of charge, to make the evening such a great success.”

Richard added: “The Schools Sanitation Project is our latest initiative. Clean water, basic toilets and good hygiene practices are essential for the survival and development of children. According to UNICEF, every day, over 800 children die, worldwide, from preventable diseases caused by the lack of these.

“Lack of these basic facilities in our twinned schools is impacting on children’s education and their futures.

“Children often miss out on education because they spend hours every day collecting water and are exhausted if and when they get to school. Many older girls have to miss school on a regular basis due to the lack of menstrual hygiene facilities.

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“We can help improve the prospects for the future of children in Hastings, Sierra Leone, by ensuring they have a sustainable water supply, good basic sanitation and hygiene facilities. We have already had a survey of the 14 schools undertaken to establish what facilities they currently have and we are now planning how we can improve the facilities and give the children a better chance for the future.

“Funds raised at the Charity Ball will help us start the process but we need to raise an estimated £45,000 to complete the project in all 14 schools”

SEE ALSO: Local bus service praisedLynn concluded “We have a lot of work to do to raise more funds but the generosity of our patrons, members and the general public never ceases to amaze me. People can still donate to the project by going on to our website, www.Hastingshastings.org.uk and using the My Donate button”

Find out more about the Friendship Link and the work it is doing in Hastings, Sierra Leone at our website: www.Hastingshastings.org.uk/about/