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3:30pm Thursday 2nd July 2009
A BURNLEY grandmother is spearheading a campaign to help people in Zimbabwe after returning from a fact-finding mission to the poverty-stricken country.
Anne-Marie Coppock, 61, from Lower Manor Lane in Burnley, was sent to the struggling country by aid agency CAFOD as she manages its Salford office.
Her trip coincided with a visit by prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai to Europe and the US in a bid to persuade leaders that his country is improving.
But Anne-Marie said that people in the African country needed help and urged the people of East Lancashire to support an appeal by CAFOD. She said: “The reality in Zimbabwe is bleak.
“The time of empty supermarkets and wheelbarrows full of Zimbabwe dollars worth only a few pence is over for now but this doesn’t mean Zimbabwe can feed itself.
“It’s only an hour out of the capital Harare and people are barely surviving.
“Seven million people are struggling to feed themselves. Hospitals and schools are barely functioning with few, if any, basic drugs such as aspirin and antibiotics, equipment or school books.
“However, I do believe people’s lives can be changed and that we, as ordinary people in the UK, can make a difference and now is the time.”
Anne-Marie said she was hopeful that her reports will stir people across Burnley and neighbouring towns to dig deep.
She added: “The people’s talk of hope for change is catching.
“The resilience of the people against all the odds is overwhelming.
“Having sensed this hope and seen for myself the hardship, but also how a little support goes a long way, I do believe people’s lives can be changed and that we, as ordinary people in the UK, can make a difference and now is the time.”
To support CAFOD's Zimbabwe appeal, visit the website below or call 0500 858885.
bgrs, says...
4:37pm Thu 2 Jul 09
RAyzer, BURNLEY says...
8:50pm Thu 2 Jul 09
Antonio Garcia, UNKNOWN says...
9:33pm Thu 2 Jul 09
Antonio Garcia, UNKNOWN says...
9:41pm Thu 2 Jul 09
retired one, Blackburn says...
11:42pm Thu 2 Jul 09
midas, burnley says...
9:39am Fri 3 Jul 09
RAyzer, BURNLEY says...
11:26am Fri 3 Jul 09
retired one wrote:spot on..africa has oil,ivory,diamonds,c
All of the millions of pounds that this government sends hardly ever gets to the needy. It is squandered by the big chiefs on numerous wives and luxury vehicles etc.etc. Charity does begin at home, so this is where you should start.
RAyzer, BURNLEY says...
11:28am Fri 3 Jul 09
midas wrote:typical...my lifes hard,why they starving??BECAUSE THERE GOVERNMENT ARE CORRUPT,NOT MINE..PROBLEM??PEOPL
You think your life is hard, sitting at a computer pontificating and sermonising about Charity begins at home when the poorest person in this country is a millon times better off. Starving? You show me one starving person in this country. Access to clean water? Know anyone that doesn't have it? Infant mortality? Do you know why they have lots of kids RAyzer? So long as you are white and English eh Holsten?
RAyzer, BURNLEY says...
11:32am Fri 3 Jul 09
midas wrote:do you seriously think money we send goes to starving kids??come on,wake up,its a shame these kids starve,go and help over there..dont send cash so they can buy the latest weapons..think on,20 year ago mugabe was given millions and an M.B.E by clowns like yourself..
You think your life is hard, sitting at a computer pontificating and sermonising about Charity begins at home when the poorest person in this country is a millon times better off. Starving? You show me one starving person in this country. Access to clean water? Know anyone that doesn't have it? Infant mortality? Do you know why they have lots of kids RAyzer? So long as you are white and English eh Holsten?
bankhall, burnley says...
11:48am Fri 3 Jul 09
midas, burnley says...
11:53am Fri 3 Jul 09
Mike Costa, Blackburn says...
12:29pm Fri 3 Jul 09
midas wrote:Mike Costa says:
You think your life is hard, sitting at a computer pontificating and sermonising about Charity begins at home when the poorest person in this country is a millon times better off. Starving? You show me one starving person in this country. Access to clean water? Know anyone that doesn't have it? Infant mortality? Do you know why they have lots of kids RAyzer? So long as you are white and English eh Holsten?
akon, padiham says...
12:40pm Fri 3 Jul 09
ChiRho, Blackburn says...
2:34pm Fri 3 Jul 09
midas, burnley says...
3:24pm Fri 3 Jul 09
holsten pils, burnley says...
6:44pm Fri 3 Jul 09
andyingreece, Athens, Greece. says...
11:35pm Fri 3 Jul 09
andyingreece, Athens, Greece. says...
11:35pm Fri 3 Jul 09
snitch, burnley says...
12:11pm Sat 4 Jul 09
RAyzer, BURNLEY says...
1:33pm Sat 4 Jul 09
midas wrote:doh....thats how easy it is...a bit like your mum...our cash equals new tanks/weapons/ammo..
Whats your arguement RAyzer, the money shouldn't be spent helping people in Africa because it just all goes to line the pocket of corrupt officials? A pretty basic and simple arguement, a bit like yourself!
RAyzer, BURNLEY says...
1:36pm Sat 4 Jul 09
RAyzer, BURNLEY says...
1:39pm Sat 4 Jul 09
Burnley & Beyond, Burnley says...
11:09pm Sun 5 Jul 09
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holsten pils, burnley says...
4:24pm Thu 2 Jul 09