Warm clothes sent to orphans in African nation

Knitters from Havant send jumpers, scarves and hats to children in Lesotho each year

Grandmother Rita McCoy sends boxes full of warm clothes and gifts to orphanages in the country from her home at Havant.

Mrs McCoy first found out about the plight of orphaned and abandoned African children more than a decade ago while watching a Songs of Praise broadcast from South Africa.

After years sending warm knitted clothes to the country she then heard about the need in Lesotho after Prince Harry set up the Sentebale charity.

She now has a network of knitters who make sure they make enough hats, jumpers and scarves to keep the children from rural Lesotho warm through the cold winter months.

Mrs McCoy, who is retired, said: ‘Believe it or not, even in Africa the winters can be bitterly cold.

‘We have had a bit of trouble sending things across lately because of their change of government but we managed to send about 120kg from Heathrow the other day.

‘I would like to say a big thank you to Browns hairdressers, in Havant, and the Havant Lions Club, who paid for the transit of the goods.’

Among the items sent to Lesotho each year are pencils, exercise books, balloons and bubbles.

Mrs McCoy added: ‘It’s nice to be able to send them something they will enjoy. They are just desperate for exercise books.’

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