AMBULANCE - THE 'MISSING STOP'!

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

SIDETRACK TO GUILDFORD ON WAY HOME TO PORTSMOUTH

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.

A final total of funds raised will be announced soon. It's not too late to help - go to http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ to donate or visit the group's page on Facebook.

BROMLEY STOP

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/

AMBULANCE IN STOCKPORT - BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!

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/

AMBULANCE - LIVERPOOL

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!

The ambulance has now raised over £4,000, and still has lots of stops to make! Please visit http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ for more information and to donate.

AMBULANCE - STOP 5

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.

Contact National Director, Caroline Johnston, at info@villageafrica.org.uk

VILLAGE AFRICA AMBULANCE - ON ITS WAY!

In Waterlooville Market with Cartridge World Stig, passers by donated £86.44!

Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward and Village Africa Director, Caroline Johnston, took their ambulance on the road on Friday, starting off with a bucket collection in Waterlooville Market, followed by a pre-launch visit to Mill Rythe Junior School and finally the official launch at Queen's Inclosure School.


At Mill Rythe Junior School, where the drive finishes in two weeks time, with Cartridge World Stig and head teacher, Mrs. Queripel.
















The official launch was from Queens Inclosure School, where students presented an African theme day, with younger students wearing animal masks and older ones playing a bucket game!

Donations can be made at http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ and you can follow the progress of the drive on this blog. Please feel free to leave your messages of support here too!

VILLAGE AFRICA/HELEN O'GRADY AMBULANCE SET FOR DEPARTURE!

Today, Friday 11th June, sees the launch of the Village Africa sponsored ambulance drive.

After months of preparation, Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward and her sister, Caroline Johnston for Village Africa, are delighted they can now start their journey. This week, they have been interviewed by Quay radio in Portsmouth (see below).

They will be joined at today's launch by Alan Knight MBE and Cartridge World will be there with their Eco car, along with The Stig. Their first stop this weekend is Bournemouth before they head north to Exeter, detour through South Wales where they will be meeting the Welsh Assembly, through Gloucestershire and the Midlands to the North West and then on to Scotland, spending next Saturday in Edinburgh before heading back to York, on to Sheffield and then to London.

On the way they will meet up with more than twenty Helen O'Grady Principals and, of course, hundreds of drama students, arriving back in Portsmouth to a special reception on Friday 25th June.

The Academy is proud to sponsor the drive, and we are certain there will be many more donations on the way. They have already raised in the region of £2500 before they even leave.

We will include pictures and information on here as the journey goes on. For more information and to make a dontaion visit the Village Africa website You can email Andrea on portsmouth@helenogrady.co.uk and Caroline on info@villageafrica.org.uk

We all at the Academy wish them safe journeys and all the luck in the world with this amazing trip.

HELEN O'GRADY WITH VILLAGE AFRICA FINDS AN AMBULANCE!

The founder of the charity, Village Africa, Caroline Johnston, is seen here with Jon McGuigan of the Southern Ambulance Preservation Society after taking delivery of the ambulance which has been kindly donated for the charity drive in conjunction with the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy. Caroline, and her sister Andrea (below) who is Principal of the Academy in Portsmouth, are delighted and more than a little relieved to have secured their transport and have thanked the organisation for their kindness and generosity.

The drive is to be launched at Queens Inclosure Primary School in Cowplain, Hampshire and will finish at Mill Rythe Junior School in Hayling Island. The Academy runs drama clubs at both these schools. If you wish to donate to the charity, click here.

VYAADAHIKANA - it is possible

Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward, is playing a big part in organising an ambulance drive around the UK to raise funds for The Village Africa Appeal. http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ Andrea is seen above signing the Portsmouth Football Club bus! The Pompeys are supporting the appeal.

Village Africa is a small but very active, UK based registered charity set up by Andrea's sister, Caroline Johnston, four years ago in the remote area of Yamba in Tanzania. It's aim is to alleviate poverty through health, education and building projects.

The ambulance route, which starts and finishes in Portsmouth, will visit dozens of the UK's Drama Academies, covering over 1000 miles in total. The drive takes place between 11th and 27th June 2010.

RIGHT NOW THE CHARITY IS STILL LOOKING FOR AN AMBULANCE! Having contacted PCTs, St. Johns and the Red Cross, Andrea and Caroline are still looking for their ambulance! If any of our readers can help, please contact portsmouth@helenogrady.co.uk or info@villageafrica.org.uk

Check back here for pictures of the trip over the next couple of months and, if you would like to become involved, contact Andrea or Caroline on the emails addresses above.