A HUGE fundraising event is currently being planned to help raise money for the Stourbridge News Well of Life appeal.

The News has teamed up with the Ryemarket Shopping Centre to host a special events day to add much needed funds to the life-saving project.

Our appeal, in conjunction with Ridgewood High School’s Project Gambia initiative, aims to raise £10,000 for a water pump and irrigation system to serve the drought-stricken Gambian village of Sintet.

On Saturday May 9 the town centre precinct will be transformed into a Gambian wonderland with plans for African food, animals and music to set the scene for customers to get in the fundraising spirit.

Tombolas, name the bear competitions, face painting, African drumming, singing and dancing are among the activities that will be organised by the Wollaston school during the event to help raise the cash.

Kelley Dyas, centre manager, said: “The event will have various stands throughout the centre and offer a real fun atmosphere for our shoppers while helping to raise lots of money for the appeal.”

The Well of Life appeal is part of this year’s Project Gambia which takes students out to Africa to experience firsthand what life is like in a developing country.

This year’s trip is currently taking place and each day a student has been writing their own blog post detailing their thoughts and experiences.

Daily updates including videos and pictures from the trip as well as the students’ blog posts are available at www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/projectgambia.

The group will be visiting Sintet this week where they will see the location of the impending installation of the much needed pump.

To make a donation to the appeal visit www.justgiving.com/welloflifeappeal/ or text PROG15 and your amount, either £10, £5, £4, £3, £2, £1, to 70070.

People can also donate cash or cheques in person at the Stourbridge News offices, at St John’s House, St John’s Road, Stourbridge.

Cheques need to be made payable to Project Gambia Trust Ridgewood, and you’ll need to write Well of Life Appeal on the back.

If you are carrying out an event to help raise funds for the Well of Life Appeal please call our reporter Dan Sharp on 01384 358223, or email dan.sharp@stourbridgenews.co.uk.