Beragh community group raises £17,000 in fundraiser

A COMMUNITY group in Beragh has raised more than £17,000 to feed schoolchildren in Malawi after a scrap metal collection across the county.

Mary’s Meals in the village set up the fundraiser in order to aid children in the African country, who may only receive food when they attend school.

Margaret McAleer, treasurer of Mary’s Meals Beragh Group, said it takes £6,000 to feed the school for a full year, with the money going to local farmers who grow the food locally.

“We started the scrap collection in February, collecting metal, copper, steel and more and were able to take everything to Darcy’s in Tattyreagh,” Margaret said.

“Darcy’s also provided skips which were placed at different venues across the county. We were delighted to raise more than £17,000 to feed the schoolchildren, and any unused funds will go to feed children in other parts of the world.”

“Some of these children, they only go to school because it’s the only place they can rely on to get fed. The majority of the money will go straight towards ensuring they are fed.”

Mary’s Meals is a charity originally set up in Scotland, with various local groups set up across Ireland and the UK.

“These children – many of whom might otherwise miss out on school to work, beg or scavenge for food – will get the chance to gain a precious education which could, in future, help them to escape from a life of poverty and hardship,” Margaret added.