Shropshire charity sees donations top £200,000
Donations handed over to a Shropshire-based international charity have doubled to more than £200,000 this year – to the delight of organisers.
Medic Malawi, which is based in Shrewsbury, collected a total of £235,000 in 2012 – well up on the £118,000 it raised last year.
The organisation funds a hospital in Mtunthama, in a rural area of the African country together with a clinic for feeding the malnourished and an orphanage for 85 children.
Fundraising efforts of the organisation were boosted with a Toy Trust donation of £100,000 and new supporters, including Shrewsbury School, coming on board.
Stephen Drew, who took over the charity in 2011 after retiring as principal of Wrekin College where students raised the first £20,000 to pay for the orphan house, said: "It has been a sensational year for us. I am amazed at how people have taken us into their hearts.
"We have to thank the Toy Trust for their generous donation of £100,000 but there were other factors which helped us exceed our targets, including the success of the Big Breakfast, three private donations of £10,000 and new supporters joining us.
"What I am very proud of is that all the money donated to the charity goes to help people in Malawi. We do not have UK costs or expenses, unlike some other charities. That really means we can raise as much money as possible for those in need."
He said the money has made a major difference to lives of children in Malawi.
He added: "We have also bought an ambulance and three motorbikes with trailers to begin outreach sessions from a malnourishment centre." Visit www.medicmalawi.org or call (01743) 614597.