People from Ayrshire helped raise almost £80,000 for people in developing countries last year for SCIAF’s Wee Box Lent appeal.

Now the charity is urging members of the community to get involved again to raise money for some of the poorest people in the world.

In 2017, the appeal raised over £1 million for SCIAF’s life-changing work, helping people in 15 of the world’s poorest countries.

SCIAF volunteers and supporters in Ayrshire kindly gave their time, enthusiasm and donations to help SCIAF’s life changing work.

They raised £14,822 from Kilmarnock, £13,370 from Ayr, £8,836 from Irvine, £8,642 from Saltcoats, £5,211 from Troon, and £3,759 from Cumnock.

This year the UK government has committed to matching – pound-for-pound – all donations given to the appeal before May 8, meaning people’s donations will go twice as far.

This extra money will give thousands of people in developing countries the practical help they need to overcome poverty, hunger, war, disease and natural disasters, so they can survive and thrive in the future.

Each year people across Scotland give up a favourite treat such as coffee, chocolate, wine or crisps, put the money they save into a SCIAF Wee Box, and then donate it at Easter to help the charity’s life-changing work.

SCIAF’s Director Alistair Dutton said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the people of AREA for supporting us over the years. Everything given to SCIAF’s Wee Box Lent appeal means poor families can get the help they need, like good seeds, farming tools, training and small loans, so they can grow food, earn an income, and have a better future.

“Having the UK Aid Match again this year is a fantastic bonus too. It means everything you give to our Wee Box appeal will be doubled by the UK government.”

The 2018 appeal was launched on Ash Wednesday, February 14, and tells the story of SCIAF’s life-changing work with poor families affected by illegal fishing and poverty in one of the poorest provinces of rural Cambodia, Stung Treng.

The Cambodian family headed by Phong and Toma Lang and their five children, feature on this year’s Wee Box.

The Langs depend on fishing and farming to survive but they were badly affected by criminal gangs who used dynamite and electrocution to harvest huge numbers of fish in their local river. At the time, fish stocks dropped by a staggering 50 per cent, leaving the family struggling to feed themselves.

The money given by the UK government will help 20,000 Cambodians affected by poverty, illegal fishing and land-grabbing in 50 Cambodian villages. This includes providing seeds, farm tools and safe drinking water to the most vulnerable members of the community.

To get your own SCIAF wee box, make a donation or to find out more about the campaign, please visit www.sciaf.org.uk or call 0141 354 5555.