House about that!

Organised by Christian charity Ignite, the aim of the sponsored walk from Kilraughts to Ballycastle was to raise vital funds to start work in Malawi.

Already several thousand pounds worth of donations have helped to build schools, wells, medical facilities and accommodation in the impoverished African country of Uganda. And the team, which has members from Ballymoney, Moyle, Coleraine, Cloughmills and Ballymena, are now hoping to change venue and fund a pre-school in Muzu in Northern Malawi and build playground at three pre-schools.

Paul Sayers of Ignite explained: “Ignite volunteers regularly travel to Uganda to oversee and participate in a range of projects.

“After our work in Uganda for a number of years we have changed our venue to Malawi which has many needs. We are going out with a team in January 2012 to work for a PCI Missionary Diane Cusick a local girl from Armoy who has been in Malawi for 16 years. We aim to help fund a pre-school in Muzu in Northern Malawi and the team will help with building playground at three pre-schools. However all this work can not be achieved without the funds.”

The house, specially built for the occasion, began its journey from Kilraughts, then Bushvale, Rossyard, Dervock, Toberdoney, Bushmills, Dunluce, Croaghmore, Toberkeigh, Mosside, Armoy Ramoan and Ballycastle.

Thanking people who took part, donated or simply supported them on route, Paul added: “We arrived there at 7.15pm with the house with only a few people who completed the whole distance very tired indeed. Our aim was to get the house there with the help of each team. The teams had to be at there church in good time to keep the house moving so we appreciate there time keeping.

“Many thanks to each church with there team made up of young and old for there enthusiasm and perseverance which made it a very enjoyable day for 100’s taking part.

“On route we lifted in buckets over £1,000 from people who came out of there houses as well as people passing by so thanks to them for there encouragment. We know many of the churches will add to this amount to help the much need that is Malawi.

“Obviously this amount will make a fantastic boost to the charity and allowed us to change the lives of people in Uganda.”

For more information go to their website, www.ignite-u.co.uk.

Their mission is: “To bring practical and spiritual support to people in need in developed countries” and “Ignite always gives 100% of any money raised for any project.”