Aid is real knockout for African school (From This Is Wiltshire)

Ex-boxer will pull no punches to help pupils

11:00pm Sunday 1st February 2009 in News By Ben Perrin

CHILDREN in Africa got a timely educational boost following a visit from a former Swindon champion boxer, who helped deliver vital supplies.

Ricky Porter gave away educational materials, clothes and furniture during a two week trip to the Elmina district, in the central region of Ghana at the end of last year.

He had to raise £3,500 ahead of the trip.

He managed to hit the total by collecting donations from kind-hearted people all across Swindon.

It cost £600 just to unload the packages off the plane in Africa.

It is not the first time that ex-welterweight Ricky, of County Road, who was ranked seventh in the world at his boxing peak, has gathered up goods to dispatch to Africa.

This latest shipment is the third 40ft container he has arranged for shipping to the Sonibron Education Trust, in Elmina, for distribution to the schools in this area.

He has provided one container each year since 2005.

“It was fantastic to be able to go out there and feel like you’re making a difference. I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of big Swindon firms, little businesses, schools and the public,” he said.

“There are too many people to mention – but you all know who you are.”

Churchfield School donated books, computers, and educational materials - for the third time.

The Science Museum at Wroughton allowed vital storage for the goods and Blackford’s loaded the shipment.

The 64-year-old’s aid mission began in 2004 when he attended a family reunion in London at which he met his cousin Sonia Lye-Fook and her husband Bryan.

The pair had opened a guesthouse in Ghana and after seeing how little children in the African country have, they set up a trust to collect educational equipment.

For more information or to contribute to any future funds for Ghana’s youngsters, contact Ricky at the Angelique Guest House, 73 County Road, Swindon, SN1 2EE or call 01793 523870.