OTLEY Lions are supporting schools, hospitals and orphanages in Gambia after being asked to help two separate charitable ventures.

In just one week, the Otley group received two requests for help from people taking supplies to the African country.

Brian Pettinger, from the Lions, said: "Education in the Gambia can be a bit of a lottery when you have no classroom, stationery or even electricity.

"Twice within a week Otley Lions were asked to support two charitable ventures taking containers of supplies to the far reaches of Gambia."

One container set off from Greengates at the end of October and the second goes from Doncaster in November.

The first container, helping the Idle and Saltaire-based Gambian Schools Trust, contained thousands of pencils, exercise books and stock for school libraries.The trust has opened five nursery schools and improved village amenities during the past five years.

Trustee, Hilary Lawther, said: "Through the generosity of its unpaid supporters, the trust has already been able to build, equip and maintain five nursery schools and libraries from our containers filled with school materials, furniture and resources."

The Otley group is also supporting other Lions Clubs from Warmsworth and Edlington and Bramley and Whickersley, who will go to Gambia with the November container destined for Banjule. They will give equipment and support to schools, hospitals and orphanages.

Both projects have also received support from Sinclairs, the Otley stationery company.

Mr Pettinger said: "Lions met the charity at the vintage transport fair this autumn and were impressed with their efforts to fundraise to send the October container to Gambia.

"Initially, we supplied children's and educational books and some garden tools to help schools grow their own food. Then we contacted Sinclairs, which kindly donated some exercise books, and Lions funded 1,000-plus pencils, 500 crayons and some art card for projects. All these went in the container yesterday.

"The enthusiasm and commitment of the team at The Gambian Schools Trust made it easy for the Otley Lions to agree to support them. Up to six months a year is spent on site by the team teaching and developing local initiatives."