THE people of Penarth have been thanked by teachers and children in Malawi for their donations of clothes, stationery and shoes.

Penarth logistics company Finite international launched an appeal in February for pens, rubbers, rulers and other items to go towards a school and orphanage in the African country.

Ex-Stanwell school pupil Emma Leering is currently spending a gap year teaching in Bolera, Malawi.

Her father, Rob Leering, co-owns Finite international and decided to start the appeal to support his daughter's efforts to improve the lives of children whose lives are blighted by poverty and disease.

Mr Leering said: "We were overcome by the kindness of local people. People even bought new items of clothing or stationery to support the appeal, and went out of their way to bring it in to us.

The amount of items we received was incredible, and we were able to ship the donations to Malawi through the goodwill of one of our suppliers."

Mr Leering travelled to Malawi at the end of March to ensure that donations arrived and see the difference they will make. He met up with his daughter who was busy distributing the items to those most in need.

They met a woman called Hilda whose home had been destroyed in a flood earlier in the year and had no home to live in.

So when Mr Leering returned he organised a coffee morning to raise funds for Hilda, with the support of Barry company Verde Coffee.

He said: "Once again through the kindness of local people, over £300 was raised, which is already being put to good use to rebuild Hilda’s house and make repairs on two other houses.

"Emma has been deeply touched by everyone’s generosity and wants to send heartfelt thanks to all of the Penarth Times readers who have supported the appeal."

She has been sending constant updates from Malawi including children wearing clothes donated from Penarth. Her progress can be tracked on Finite's facebook page www.facebook.com/finite-international-logistics