Hexham youngsters aid mercy mission

Pupils from Corbridge First School also chipped in by raising funds to buy computers for the orphanage and three schools in the area.

Volunteers from Mercy Trucks have now delivered the educational and development equipment to Sri Lanka, also spending three months repainting the orphanage and undertaking landscaping works at two schools.

In addition the volunteers taught in six of the country's schools, including one for deaf and blind children.

David Hefferin, 45, leader of Hexham Scouts, said the group were shocked to learn that the children didn't even have beds to sleep on.

"We'd heard off Mercy Trucks that these orphans in Sri Lanka didn't even have a bed to sleep on, which is pretty awful, so a mattress for them is great," he said.

"The boys were doing a global challenge badge so, instead of just talking about the issues, we decided to make it practical and raise money for Mercy Trucks to buy mattresses.

"We chose Mercy Trucks because it's Hexham-based and they do some fantastic work. We raised more then £300 at a bring-and-buy sale."

Mercy Trucks is a volunteer humanitarian organisation, run by Roy and Catherine Dixon, which has been involved with relief projects around the world for more than 10 years.

Last Sunday, Roy, 46, set-off on a 4,600-mile journey to Guinea Bissau in West Africa, driving a 40ft box trailer packed with relief aid.

Michael Cafferkey, from Mercy Trucks, said: "The latest mission to Sri Lanka was very successful. During the last three months of 2008, we delivered and installed a truck full of computers, which supplied the complete needs of three schools and an orphanage.

"Money raised by Hexham Scouts paid for the donation of 23 new mattresses. We had supplied 46 beds and 23 mattresses on our last visit to the orphanage so now every bed has its own mattress.

"In addition, our team of volunteers repainted the orphanage and also completely refurbished and supplied new desks for the students. Previously they had used orange boxes for desks.

We would like to thank Corbridge First School and Hexham Scouts for their help."

Mercy Trucks is always looking for individuals or companies to fund projects. For information, contact RoyDixon@MercyTrucks.org.

Read previous story about Roy's journey to West Africa.

Roy and Catherine Dixon with the volunteers in Sri Lanka.