A Shropshire charity that helps those in need in an impoverished country in African today appealed for help to keep on top of its data.

Shrewsbury-based Medic Malawi has been helping the Mtunthama region for a number of years and currently helps to fund a hospital, two orphanages and feeding programmes.

But Stephen Drew, who runs the charity from his kitchen table in the county town, said they were in desperate need of someone to help with their data entry.
He said: “We urgently need help to enter donor data on a Sage package which we have been given.

“It would be a big boost to us if someone familiar with entering such data, and if possible the use of Sage, could volunteer to help out. “Whoever comes forward may just be willing to help with this specific task or they could want to offer a  continuing commitment to our work, which would be a huge benefit.

“Either way, volunteers will be making a vital contribution to the work of Medic Malawi, from which every penny we collect reaches those who need it in rural Malawi.”

Mr Drew, a former principal of Wrekin College, said that by having someone experienced in this kind of data entry would mean the charity could work much more efficiently and subsequently help more people.

He added: “This is a charity run by just a handful of volunteers but makes a big difference to whole communities.“We have grown over the years and are constantly trying to adapt to new technologies and update the way we work so we can make the biggest difference possible to the people in Malawi.

“I know many businesses give hours of their time to meet their corporate social responsibility achievements and it would be a great benefit if someone who is familiar with this type of work could come and be a part of our team.”

The charity is currently working on a number of projects including securing a permanent water supply to a hospital, installing solar panels to create sustainable power for villages and opening an eye clinic.

The charity has long been supported by the people of Shrewsbury and across Shropshire, donating as volunteers go on sponsored treks, hold fundraising music events in the county town and sell charity Christmas cards.