A CHARITY is appealing to businesses and residents in the Malmesbury area to help needy villagers in Africa.

The Nchima Trust collects medical and educational equipment for rural schools and community health clinics in Malawi. It also provides disabled Malawians with work skills.

Trustee Anne Scarborough, who lived in Malawi for 38 years, said the equipment was stored in Malmesbury, and was transported by lorry at the end of each year to Tidworth, where it was loaded into a container bound for Africa.

The equipment includes wheelchairs, crutches, syringes, bandages, medical and educational books and blankets.

Mrs Scarborough said: "Malawi is such a poor country. The medical facilities are so limited.

"The blankets are for old people who are often so destitute that they wrap up in old sacking or plastic bags."

She said the lorry to Tidworth was normally provided by a volunteer. This year, however, the volunteer was unable to carry out the service.

The trust is hoping that a business or individual will step forward and offer to drive the goods to Tidworth on December 12 in a two tonne lorry or even a large horsebox.

Mrs Scarborough said: "If we miss the container, we will have to wait another year to get the equipment to Malawi. We are desperately looking for a sponsor."

Anyone who can help is asked to call Sheila Ludford on (01666) 824709.