The largest Drama Academy in the world, operating in 26 countries, with more than 50,000 students, aged from 4 to adult, attending classes each week. The Academy offers a unique and exciting drama programme, designed to increase children's confidence, self esteem and skill in verbal communication. Visit our website: www.helenogrady.co.uk
Helen O'Grady National Director, Nigel Le Page, was proud to be at the finish line with Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward.
And the 'missing stop' was in Sheffield, where Helen O'Grady Principal, Nick Chadwin, welcomed the ambulance at Eccleshall Junior School where he holds drama classes.
There's still time to donate - visit www.villageafrica.org.uk 
On Friday, the ambulance finally drove across the finish line at Mill Rythe Junior School to be welcomed by the whole shcool with their teachers and Deputy Head, Mr Marshall. Also at the welcome reception were Helen O'Grady National Director, Nigel Le Page and Martin Ebbage from Cartridge World, sho sponsored the drive..jpg)
Portsmouth Principal. Andrea Ward, who helped arrange the events, said: "This has been a great team effort. People have pulled together all around the country and as well the donations - now in excess of £10,000 - we feel we have very much raised awareness of the work Village Africa does." Helen O'Grady National Director, Nigel Le Page, has been following the progress daily as the ambulance visited branches of the Academy around the country. He said: "This is the busiest time of the year for UK Helen O'Grady Principals. They are all in the final stages of their year end shows, with some of them missing rehearsals to support Andrea and Caroline and Village Africa. I congratulate them all for their support. For Andrea to make this massive committment when she too is working with her drama classes on productions is highly commendable. I am very proud the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy could help in some way."
In this picture a pupil from Mill Rythe school presents the results of their fundraising to Village Africa Director, Caroline Johnston, - and, of course, Oscar the dog! 
As the ambulance arrived back in Portsmouth, the Lord Mayor. Cllr Paula Riches, asked for a special stop. She is always keen on fundraising for African causes as she was born in Nairobi. She met with Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward, and her sister Caroline Johnston, who is director of the charity Village Africa. Naturally, Oscar was there too!
Before this the team sidetracked to Guildofr to visit Ravenscote Junior School, where Andrea runs drama classes and were invited to conduct an assembly to tell the school about their journey and the cause.
A couple of students helped Oscar check out the ambulance to make sure it was safe for the final leg of the journey. The ambulance arrives back in Portsmouth today after nearly 2000 miles and some 20 stops. Helen O'Grady National Director, Nigel Le Page, will be there with other dignitaries to welcome the team back after their adventures.
On the final stop before heading back to Portsmouth, The Village Africa ambulance car stopped in Bromley. Principal, Helen Walls, and her drama students dressed up in African clothes and had lots of colourful bits and pieces when they welcomed the crew including, as always, Oscar the dog. That animal is everywhere! There was even a chance for a tiger to take the wheel! http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ 
On to Helen O'Grady, South East London and Principal, Judy Adams, had a special headgear class to welcome the ambulance! Hats off to Judy and her students!
The ambulance is now on the home straight back to Portsmouth where it arrives to huge reception on Friday. There is still time to donate. Visit www.villageafrica.org.uk for more details.
On Monday 21st June the ambulance finally made its stop in Stockport to make up for the missed visit the previous week when the ambulance broke down. Principal, Kalini Kent, and her class finally had the opportunity to welcome the fundraisers in style!
Oscar the dog was tickled to death by the experience! You can access more information and donate to the cause at http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/
Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward, whose sister, Caroline Johnston is Director of the Village Africa project, drove to Manchester on Friday night to meet up with the ambulance for the next leg of the journey. Sadly, after a couple of days of 'mechanical faults' the ambulance broke down on the motorway and had to be taken in for repair. But, not a team to be beaten, the girls managed to acquire an ambulance car to use while mechanics were trying to locate a part for their own vehicle.
After an overnight drive to Scotland, as well as visiting classes with Tayforth Principal, Barbara Brett, she and Andrea managed to scale a climbing wall under the watchful eye of Oscar the dog - who seems to be in on everything!
Don't forget to check back here later to learn of the fate of the 'real' ambulance and details of the next stop. Visit http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ to donate.
Liverpool Principal, Tracy Shirley, and her husband, Steve, put the 'fun' into fundraising yesterday when they hosted a barbecue for Helen O' Grady students as the Village Africa ambulance stopped by! 
Late Monday afternoon, the ambulance moved on to Brimscombe Primary School in Gloucestershire where Lesley Young teaches Helen O'Grady classes. She was joined yesterday by Helen O'Grady National Training Manager, Margaret Darley. A class full of very excited children climbed in the ambulance, in their animal masks, pretending to drive but, more importantly, sounding the siren! Margaret said: "The children listened intently while Caroline explained about the work she and her team are doing in Tanzania and very generously threw lots of loose change into the collection tin!" Over £100 was raised in this very short visit.
Bournemouth Principal, Susana Ayala - who just happens to be eight months pregnant! - was the first host stop after Portsmouth. She really did the Academy proud with lots of colourful and delicious fruit and face painting for the children.
.jpg)
Stop 4 was in South Wales. Principal Becky Goodfield and her teacher, Gemma Carter, obviously enjoyed their ride in the ambulance! The stop was at the Welsh Assembly. Roy Gee, a past volunteer, is seen in the picture in his African shirt.
Liz Collyer, who is driving the ambulance, has a son who attends Helen O'Grady classes in Portsmouth. She is seen here (R) with the director of Village Africa, Caroline Johnston, and also with Chris Franks who is a member of the Welsh Assembly.
At Mill Rythe Junior School, where the drive finishes in two weeks time, with Cartridge World Stig and head teacher, Mrs. Queripel.
