Namibia thanks fund-raisers

HAND of friendship . . . High Commissioner George Liswaniso (left) and Stan Bowes, president of Saddleworth Rotary Club

Saddleworth folk have taken the plight of African Aids sufferers to their hearts.

Growing links between Saddleworth and Namibia have resulted in a special support organisation, the Oatin Oshandi Aids Trust, being formed in Saddleworth to filter cash and support to stricken areas.

Recent donations have included £5,000 from Saddleworth to help Aids workers buy bicycles in Namibia and £5,000 from broadcaster John Humphreys’s charity fund.

Last week it was the turn of the Namibian Government to express its thanks to Saddleworth for the support it has received.

High Commissioner George Liswaniso was in the district and visited a Saddleworth Rotary Club dinner at the White Hart, Lydgate.

Later he met pupils at Holy Trinity School, Dobcross, and St Chad’s Primary School, Uppermill, who have also been supporting the fund.

Liz Rooke, former head teacher at Holy Trinity, said the High Commissioner had praised the links between Saddleworth and Namibia and said the High Commission was very grateful for Saddleworth’s support.