Paul Hargreaves, Cotswold Fayre’s managing director, recently returned from the orphanage where he helped to develop a six month plan for the orphanage’s progress; all made possible thanks to funds raised by the fine food industry.
The orphanage is home to 100 children and helps to look after and educate an additional 300. Cotswold Fayre, which sponsors a child for every employee at the company, has been raising funds for the centre over the past two years.
Last year the company held a charity summer ball, which was attended by many of its customers and suppliers, all of whom donated generously to the cause.
“While it is a charity that is close to our heart, we were hugely grateful for the additional support and generosity shown by members of the fine food industry. We were able to raise £20,000 for the orphanage last year, which was an incredible achievement. During my visit to the centre I was able to see the progress that has been made, which was all thanks to the money raised from the ball,” explains Paul Hargreaves.
The orphanage was given a large area of land, which is currently used to grow maize to feed the children. However, its aim now is to turn the land in to a profitable farm in the next 12 months, allowing the centre to become self-sufficient.
“It is important that we implement a long-term solution, which will not only help the orphanage, but also the surrounding community who we want to engage with and teach new skills,” continues Hargreaves.
“In addition to growing a range of crops, the farm will home a herd of cows, which will provide milk for the orphanage, as well as milk which can be sold for profit.”
Cotswold Fayre is continuing its support of the orphanage, with its aim of raising £10,000 this year to subsidise the farm on its route to becoming profitable. The team will be fundraising at Cotswold Fayre’s Supplier Conference in July and has another Summer Charity Ball planned for July 2014.
To learn more about the work of the Bala Orphanage, visit www.balaorphanage.org.
If you would like to donate money to the cause, please call Shana Howard at Cotswold Fayre on 08456 121 201
