AMBULANCE AT THE FINISH LINE!

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.

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!

Thousands of drama students around the UK now know a little more about a remote part of Africa and what is needed to improve conditions there. Caroline will be heading back there later this week and has the final message for everyone who has supported the fundraising effort: "On behalf of Andrea and myself - and, more importantly, the villagers of Yamba 'asanteni sana!' (Thank you very much)".

If you would like to read more about the trip and make a dontaion, go now to http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/