FARNHAM’S two Rotary Clubs joined forces earlier this summer to collect unwanted tools for the charity Tools with a Mission (TWAM).

TWAM helps people who are living in poverty in Africa, who have no education, skills or training and gives them a livelihood and hope for the future.

The charity refurbishes the tools and makes them up into trade packs for builders, carpenters, plumbers, dressmakers, gardeners and more, and works with partner organisations in the various countries to give people the training they so desperately need.

In this way, people’s lives (and the lives of their families and communities) are transformed.

With the help and support of Farnham Town Council, the tool collection point was the area at the rear of the council offices in South Street.

Volunteers from Rotary and TWAM were on hand from 10am to 4pm to collect the tools and load them onto the TWAM van. Even the Mayor of Farnham, David Attfield, popped in to show his support.

An interesting array of tools were collected from local residents who welcomed the opportunity to clear their sheds and garages.

One person even went into a local store to buy some new tools to donate, while a kind lady living in nearby residential accommodation donated her sewing machine which was given to her on her 21st birthday, more than 60 years ago.

By the following Monday lunchtime, all the tools that were collected had been delivered to the TWAM warehouse in Ipswich to start their journey to transform many people’s lives.

The two Rotary clubs said in a joint statement: “The day was a great example of the two Rotary clubs working closely together and our thanks go to everyone who was involved.”

Visit both clubs’ website for more details.