CHILDREN living in one of the poorest countries in the world are being helped by generous football supporters from Greenock. The Celtic Supporters’ Club in Laird Street has raised £3,000 for Aid for Education – a charity run by Inverclyde couple Douglas and Sarah Kakooza to support children and families in Rwanda, enabling them to have access to education, medical insurance and shelter.
The money, raised at a race night organised in partnership between the club and charity volunteer Arthur Docherty, will allow the charity to build desperately needed toilet facilities for schoolchildren.
Douglas Kakooza from Aid for Education said the money will make a huge difference. He said: “The money raised will be used to build more toilets within the school. “At the moment, there are 80 children and there’s only four toilets.
“This money will enable us to increase the number of toilets to 16, including a disabled toilet. “We’re so grateful to the Greenock Celtic Supporters’ Club for their support.
“Every single penny raised is used to help the children in Rwanda.” Jim Friel, secretary at the club, said £2,390 was raised at the race night and the club topped the funds up.
He said: “Since 2014, we’ve raised £19,000 for Aid for Education – we’re chuffed. “We see exactly where the money goes – we see the bricks and mortar.
“We can then show people how their money is helping children in Rwanda.” Arthur from Greenock, who has volunteered out in Rwanda four times, says the charity has had terrific support from the people of Inverclyde.
He said: “It’s great that people just keep giving and giving, we’re delighted. “A lot of work went on behind the scenes to organise the race night and we ended up with 19 sponsors.
“I’m keen to thank everyone who supported it, including our families and friends and my colleagues at Newark Care Home in Port Glasgow.”
The club is keen to thank Colin Watt, the contributions convenor at the Celtic club.