Principality launches charity appeal

An appeal for communities affected by the food crisis in the West African country of Niger has been launched by Wales' Principality Building Society.

Customers can visit any of the 51 Principality branches in communities across Wales and the borders to donate money towards the appeal.

The funds will pay for millet, seed and milk powder, mainly for children and the elderly, as well as animal fodder and will be distributed by Y Care International - the international development and relief agency of the YMCA in the UK and Ireland.

Mr Tracy Morshead, managing director of Principality Building Society, said: “It’s important that we play our part in making it as easy as possible for the public to donate money towards this appeal.”

Donations to Principality Building Society‘s Niger Appeal will enable Y Care International to ensure that aid is delivered where it is needed most. Help is being given on the ground now, for example, in Niger’s Tahoua region, where rural villages have been heavily affected by the drought and communities are particularly vulnerable to starvation.

Appeal funds will also support plans to avert food crises in the future, through the construction and setting up of cereal banks and the support of cereal bank committees. Cereal banks store grain and supply it to people at times when it is most needed.

Donations to the Principality’s Niger Appeal can be made over the counter at any of Principality’s 51 branches throughout Wales and the borders. Customers can visit www.principality.co.uk or phone 0845 0450 452 to find their nearest branch.