Ramsbury charity, Action Through Enterprise (ATE), recently launched an Emergency Appeal to support the people of Lawra, Upper West Ghana, through the Covid-19 crisis. Despite all of their normal fundraising events being cancelled, the charity has, since March, raised more than £22,000, over two thirds of their £30,000 target. Now they are appealing for help to raise the final amount.
The charity has benefitted from many creative fundraisers who have participated in challenges including a ‘shave-free isolation challenge’, a virtual blind-date fundraiser, and climbing the tallest mountain in Ghana (on their stairs)!
Action Through Enterprise was started in 2012 by Sarah Gardner, a former teacher at The Winchcombe School in Newbury. Eight years on and the charity is thriving with four employees in the UK and thirty in Ghana, supporting communities to alleviate poverty and build sustainable futures in the Upper West region. Their programmes include enabling access to education through school feeding and provision of learning materials; a small business development programme; and support for disabled children and their families.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on businesses nationwide and charities have been hit hard. However, Chief Executive Sarah Gardner said that she was “overwhelmed with gratitude for the support that [ATE] have received from so many people.
From £10 to £1500, every single donation has made a difference, every single message of support has lifted our spirits. With this support, we are able to feed hungry people who desperately need it, provide facemasks and soap to keep people healthy, protect the livelihoods of our business owners, make sure our disabled children are safe – we are there for those who need us.”
In Lawra, Upper West Ghana, the impact of the virus is most challenging in the devastating side effects. These include food shortages and rising prices, loss of vital income due to social distancing rules and market closures, children missing out on their education and school meals, teenagers migrating south in search of work and putting themselves at risk.
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?campaignId=11690&charityId=1013337You can support their appeal and help them to hit their £30,000 target here.