Leamington charity shop works to bring water to famine victims in east Africa

Staff and volunteers at the Regent Street shop have already begun asking people to, instead of buying a bottle of water that they might normally buy, donate the cost of it towards helping around 12 million people in need of food and water in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.

And the team is working on setting up a window display which will feature water bottles and a giant thermometer that will show the number of people donations to the shop has helped.

Shop manager Marian Lawrence said: “Oxfam primarily works on water aid projects and we have people at the Dadaab camp in Kenya boring water holes and establishing sanitary areas.

“Oxfam figures show that for every £12.50 donated, one person will have enough water for three months. So the thermometer’s gauge will go up every time we get another £12.50 added to our donations. We thought this would be a good way to relate the money to the people.

“Customers have really responded well to this appeal so far. The need is just incredible. I’m really pleased with the response, but we need more, more and more.”

Oxfam is running its largest ever appeal in response to what is Africa’s worst drought in 60 years.

The charity is already helping more than one million people, but urgently needs more money and is aiming to raise £50 million.

Donations can be made at Oxfam’s two charity shops in Leamington – in Regent Street and Warwick Street, by calling 0300 200 1999, texting ‘CRISIS’ to 70000 (£5 donations only) or through the charity’s website.

Oxfam is not able to send out material donations, but money raised through the sale of such items will contribute towards the charity’s projects.