A LOGISTICS company based in Penarth is appealing for donations to send to a children’s school and orphanage in Malawi.

Finite International Logistics business owners Rob Leering and Steve Lerway aren’t asking for cash, but for pencils, pens, rubbers and sharpeners, as well as children’s clothes and shoes.

Penarth marina resident Rob said: "My daughter Emma Leering is volunteering at a school and orphanage in Malawi that is desperately short of basic materials. Emma says many of the children also have very few clothes, and most have no shoes. Rather than raise cash to help, as we are a logistics business and send goods worldwide each day, we decided to gather the right items here, package them up and transport them ourselves."

Former Stanwell School pupil Emma featured in the Penarth Times in January last year when she was appealing for help to raise the funds she needed to travel to Malawi as a volunteer with the charity Project Trust. Thanks to the support she received from the local community, Emma is now fulfilling her dream of helping children in one of the poorest areas of Africa, where HIV and malnutrition are common. By providing an education a child’s life can be changed for the better, as well as improving the prospects for their local community.

"Clothes, shoes, pencils and rubbers are all everyday items we take for granted that are cheap and easy to come by here," said Rob.

"We thought that by asking local businesses and the community to donate a few items each, we can make sure that the school gets exactly what it needs. Although we want new, good quality pens and pencils, second hand clothing and shoes are perfect for the children in Malawi."

He added that Emma, who is set to study geography and international development in university, was enjoying her time in Malawi: "It's been a bit of a culture shock, but something she has always wanted to do.

"It's been very rewarding for her and she's loving working in the school.

"She teaches children in the school and they are so hungry for education as they really want to learn."

Rob, who will be be travelling to Malawi himself at the end of March to see first hand the difference the donations will make, said Finite International Logistics would be asking its suppliers to donate the cost of transporting the parcels.

If you can donate good quality (HB) pencils, pens, rubbers, rulers, or sharpeners, children’s clothing and shoes suitable for the African climate, please drop it in to Finite International at Unit B6, Station Approach Industrial Estate, Penarth,(next to Penarth ABC Gym) or call 02920 709939 to arrange collection.