A RETIRED couple who have dedicated themselves to helping impoverished children in Africa have expressed their gratitude to the St Helens Rotary club for a vital donation.

Sue Hayes, 66 and husband Ron, 68, started volunteering to help poor children in Tanzania in 2008.

They launched a charity called Africa’s Children in Education (ACE), which provides education and a better way of life for youngsters.

The goldenhearts, from Windle, have returned to Tanzania and talso worked in Kenya, where they have helped to set up a new children’s home in 2010.

Their latest mission has seen a new school being built in Tanzania in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro which was opened in January last year. The school so far has 80 children and two classrooms.

And thanks to the rotary club, who have provided a £500 donation to ACE, the construction of a third classroom will now be possible.

“It’s just amazing going out there seeing the children smile and having that opportunity and wanting to go to school,” said Sue, who is a former children’s social worker.

“Without this school most of the children would not have access to education.

“It’s an agrarian community and there are problems with malnutrition and TB and other diseases.

“They want to use the school to be a community resort and have had health seminars there and it is used for health and wellbeing as well as education.

“We also support several older people, helping one young woman into education and another young person on to a teacher training course.

“We’re obviously delighted by the generosity of the rotary club and we hope to get more local support and people who are willing to help and fundraise.”

And Sue and Ron are aiming to ease malnutrition. For many children, porridge is the only meal of the day and food is prepared by setting wood on fire. A new kitchen costing around £2,500 is their next priority.

People can make donations and sponsor a child or help by arranging fundraising. Anyone interested can contact Sue and Ron on 01744 28535 or email ACEcharity@aol.com.