Village Africa Ambulance Appeal This is exciting - it is our first ever public appeal..!      DONATE TO APPEAL We need to raise £40,000 to buy a new ambulance to take sick and injured people in Yamba and Milingano the three hour drive to hospital in Tanga. In its short four year history, Village Africa has reduced the death rate in remote villages in Tanzania and has used its sole vehicle to transport seriously ill patients to hospital day or night.  It is highly likely that these patients would have died without this assistance.  Without the Village Africa ambulance service it is a two day walk to hospital.  Common emergencies include malaria, pneumonia and complications in childbirth.  Many patients needing urgent hospitalisation are babies and children. You can see from the photos how difficult the terrain is, so we would like to purchase a new Toyota Landcruiser to be used as the ambulance as it is one of the few vehicles which can cope with the mountain drive and has local mechanics to carry out servicing. So, how are we going to raise the money for the ambulance....? FIRST FUNDRAISING EVENT AMBULANCE DRIVE    We are delighted that the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy supported the Village Africa Ambulance Appeal by organising the first fundraising event: an ambulance drive around the UK.  Yes that meant driving around the UK - which proved to be not a small task!  There were many adventures along the way.  It covered over 1400 miles.  The route included Scotland, Wales and England (North, South, East and West), started and finished in Portsmouth.  The drive took place between 11-25 June 2010.  It visited various Helen O'Grady Drama Academy Branches.  It raised the profile of the Ambulance Appeal and was featured by local radio and press.  It also raised lots of money through its academies with their students and their associates.  Contact:portsmouth@helenogrady.co.uk For more details and to see all the pictures of the "emergency stops", please click on the link below: Ambulance Drive Route and Updates Village Africa would love as many individuals and groups as possible to be involved and there are loads of ways you can help raise this money; you can do it by carrying out specific fundraising activities in your town, school, university or business you can challenge groups you know to raise £25 or more, these donors will be issued a certificate and mentioned on our website if they wish simply donate at http://www.mycharitypage.com/VillageAfricaAmbulanceAppeal/ Fundraising events could even take an African theme; carry a bucket of water on your head for a certain time (dare you?) dress up African for the day paint your face as an African animal give up something for Africa day (that chocolate bar!) Send us your photos. We hope that you are able to help! Enquiries to: info@villageafrica.org.uk Appeal Update List of organisations who have donated We are raising funds to buy an ambulance for Village Africa.  If for any reason we can't buy the ambulance, or there are surplus funds left over following the purchase of the ambulance, the excess will be used to support Village Africa's work in health and education.