POOR children in Africa are being helped by big-hearted members of Greenock Rotary and the Inverclyde community.

They got together to support the Mary’s Meals Backpack project, which fills bags full of useful educational items for boys and girls aged from four to 12.

Money was raised in April when Rotary staged an Antiques Roadshow featuring TV personality Anita Manning of Great Western Auctions.

Further support came from businesses and members of the public — and now 172 backpacks have been sent to Liberia in west Africa.

Rotary spokesman Bob Burns said the project involves filling bags with basic educational materials to send to children receiving food from the Mary’s Meals charity.

He said: “Studies have shown that an education is the best way a chronically poor child can escape poverty in later life, but very often, as a result of poverty, war, famine or natural disaster, families cannot afford educational material and so children miss out on school.

“As a result of the Antiques Roadshow, the generosity of the people of Inverclyde and especially the hard work of club Vice President Loraine Gray and her husband Ron, the Rotary Club of Greenock filled 172 backpacks, each containing a towel, clothing, shoes, toiletries, stationery, ball and a spoon.” The empty backpacks are among the most expensive items, but 150 of them were kindly donated by Insight Travel and others by the local community.

Bob added: “A number of local dental practices provided toothbrushes and toothpaste and members of the club, along with other members of the community, donated backpacks, towels and stationery items.

“We would like to thank everyone who helped in any way, and hope to carry on the project into the coming Rotary year programme.”