Thousands of tools sent from Ilkley to Africa – Ilkley Gazette

MORE than four thousand tools have been despatched from Ilkley to help people in some of the world’s poorest countries. The load, collected by Ilkley Tools for Africa, is made up of equipment for a wide range of occupations, including engineering and metalworking, carpentry, plumbing, bicycle repair, building, car repair and electrical. Sewing and knitting machines are also included.

Since its formation fifteen years ago, Ilkley Tools for Africa has dispatched 50,000 tools and four hundred sewing machines.

Volunteer Francis McCrickard said: “Everyone has tools they do not need and that may be falling into disrepair. Ilkley Tools for Africa is a small group of volunteers who collect and refurbish those tools and send them to people who do need them, who are crying out for them. They are the means by which artisans can find dignity in work and provide a livelihood for themselves and families.”

ITFA works through the Chesham-based national charity, Workaid, which as well as supplying and monitoring projects in East and Central Africa also supports vocational skills training in the UK. To help or for more information email thatcanyon@talktalk.net or ring 01943 608655. Tools can be donated to ITFA through the recycling collection, organised by Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary, at the Grove car park on Saturday, September 21.

Mr McCrickard said: “The consignment went from us on Tuesday to Chesham, Buckinghamshire, the Workaid headquarters. There it will be sorted and checked and, if necessary, more work will be done on the tools. Then the different tools will be placed in specific kits for different trades and those kits will be allocated to vocational training projects in East and Central Africa and in the UK.

“Recently, Workaid has been working with projects in the rural areas, especially in Western Kenya, and also in the inner-city slums of Nairobi. It is working with the poorest and tackling poverty in a practical way, helping people to learn trade skills that will help them find employment or establish small businesses.”