Charles sends his gratitude and appreciation for the generosity

Charles sends his gratitude and appreciation for the generosity

7 November 2018

A RECENT fundraising event in aid of Zambian businessman Charles Mwanda has raised £3,600.

The St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick was the venue in September for a night of musical entertainment organised by Sr Mary Delargy, a missionary sister from the town who has helped dozens of African children out of poverty and into professions over recent years.

When Sr Mary worked in Zambia, Charles was her administrative assistant and she says the fundraising concert was not about giving him a hand out, but a hand up to continue with his business and employ a number of local people.

The key reason for the September fundraiser was to generate enough money to allow Charles to purchase a generator so he could power his car wash business.

Sr Mary worked in Zambia and during this period Charles was her assistant, helping her with the young people she was working with aged between 18 and 25.

She had helped Charles get his business going through donations but there was a problem

with the power supply which is intermittent. To help keep the business going, he required a generator which is now in place.

Sr Mary explained that due to regular power outages, electricity is only available from 5pm to 7am, therefore no business can operate during daylight hours.

She said the recent concert at the St Patrick Centre raised £2,800 with an additional £800 raised via subsequent donations.

“The generator has been bought and installed and is making real difference to the business,” a delighted Sr Mary confirmed this week.

“Charles sends his gratitude and appreciation for the generosity of people he will never meet. He now employs five young men and sustains his own family with the proceeds of the business.”

Sr Mary has thanked everyone who made the recent concert such a success, in particular, the Director and staff at the St Patrick’s Centre and the talented Stephen Smyth and his band who provided the the entertainment.

Thanks were also extended to French’s for providing the delicious supper, Downe Travel, Connolly’s and the Knights of St Columbanus for sponsorship. 

St Mary added: “Thank you to all those who attended the function. A great night was had by all.”