READERS of the Messenger are being called upon to put their best foot forward and help children in Africa.

Trafford woman Eleanor Riley raised £20,000 to build an orphanage in Tanzania and now needs 30 pairs of wellies to be worn by the youngsters who will be living there. Eleanor said most of the children have lost one or both of their parents to HIV.

The 25-year-old, of Cranston Drive, Sale, said their footwear is unsuitable and does not offer them any protection against the health risks posed by contaminated water in a very rural part of the country.

Eleanor said: “They wear flip flops or very poor shoes and if they have got any cuts or grazes on their feet the water can get in. Sometimes it causes them to get ill, with sickness like diarrhoea.”

She said the orphanage — which is due to open in mid-September — will be home to about 24 youngsters. Eleanor said she would like to be able to donate wellies to pupils at the adjacent school. The wellies should be suitable for children aged between six and 12, boys and girls.

The former Sale Grammar School pupil said she is grateful to friends and family who helped her achieve her fundraising goal.

She also received a £5,000 corporate donation from Bootea.

Eleanor first went to Tanzania as a volunteer with the New Zealand-based organisation IVHQ.

She said: “Our country is really lucky — we have got some great resources.

"When I came back I felt like I wanted to try to make people be more grateful.”

Eleanor said she was particularly moved by the story of a father who was unable to work after losing a leg following a snake bite. She said: “Hearing stories like that makes you quite upset and you do get annoyed because you want them to be able to have the healthcare we have.”

The £20,000 to open the orphanage was raised in a variety of ways, from a buy-a-brick appeal to bake sales.

Anyone wishing to donate wellies to the Made With Hope appeal should call 07590 840496 or email eleanor@madewithhope.org. Further information about the charity’s work is available from madewithhope.org.

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