Sierra Leone mudslides & flooding
I am sure you are all aware of the terrible situation which hit Freetown a week ago and I would like to thank all of those who have contacted me to find out the situation in relation to the 4 school communities that I support.
The good news is that none of the 4 schools were directly affected by the tragedy as it happened in another area of Freetown, however unfortunately 8 children (6 from the Liverpool School and 2 from the Banbury International School (both in Waterloo) lost their lives. All of these children had gone to the Regent area, where the mudslide occurred, to spend “holiday time” with their extended families. As the schools are on their summer holiday break it may be that we will hear of more issues like this when school commences in September. I am in daily touch with my contacts on the ground and will obviously keep you appraised of the ongoing situation.
It is such a tragedy, especially after the e-bola situation, and it seems so unfair that a country that has so little has too endure so much.

Westminster Group, Banbury support

Two members of staff from the Westminster Group have recently travelled to Freetown on business and have each taken a suitcase of football kit donated by Oxford United with them which will be passed on to Pastor Mark and Fayah for distribution in the school communities. Many thanks to Joanna & Lorraine for their support.

A flying start for the new Rotary year In the last Newsletter I reported about the Night at The Musicals and the total allocated for Sierra Leone projects has risen to £2,000. During July I received donations from a talk I did, the book sale and with other donations this rose to £2,000 making a grand total of £4,000 in July.

Once again Peter Rhoades–Brown, the business development manager, at Oxford United rang me to say that the Club had a donation of kit to support the schools in Sierra Leone. During August I have two colleagues flying out to Freetown and they have both agreed to take a suitcase full of kit to be distributed to the schools.

A massive thank you to Peter and all at Oxford United for their fantastic continued support which is greatly appreciated.

We should have some photos in the next Newsletter and hopefully some photos and video clips for the Oxford United Club website.