A Malawian chief has said that the people of Alton are “very, very special” in a Christmas thank you message to the town.

Alton has forged close links with Malawi through the Alton Climate Action Network, which fundraises to support a farm and training centre for sustainable agricultural methods in the Gumbi region of the African country.

Chief Edwin Mponela said: “On behalf of all the people in Gumbi community in Malawi, I would like to thank all our donors who have been very kind to us in Malawi.

“I do also extend my thanks to all the people of the town of Alton who have recently donated six million Malawian Kwatcha - approximately £3,000 - for maize. This is very great and wonderful. Whatever you are doing for us cannot be done even by the government of Malawi. You are very, very special to us.”

Alton Climate Action Network works in partnership with the Gumbi Education Fund to help Malawi, which is badly affected by drought because of the climate crisis despite generating less than 0.04 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Jenny Griffiths from Alton Climate Action Network said: “The Gumbi permaculture demonstration farm is thriving, but a severe drought has caused widespread acute hunger just now.

“The staple maize crop failed on many homestead farms in the 19 villages across the Gumbi community. The government has declared a nationwide state of disaster but has been unable to help, and there is little international aid.

“The community asked Alton Climate Action Network for assistance to buy food for January to March for vulnerable households who have run out of maize. In little more than a month, people from Alton and the surrounding villages contributed no less than £3,000 to the appeal. We are incredibly grateful.”

Alton Climate Action Network wants to provide “environmental justice” for Malawi by helping its farmers defeat hunger through their own resources, supported by funding for training in sustainable farming methods and irrigation.

It has now secured a £5,000 grant for training courses from environmental justice foundation the Margaret Hayman Charitable Trust, and received an anonymous donation to buy two solar-powered water pumps.

For more information visit https://altonclimatenetwork.org.uk/our-groups/gumbi-alton-permaculture-community-training-centre/ or email [email protected]