AS Christmas approaches, one local businessman is hoping that the Yuletide spirit will encourage people to help him in his quest to raise money for an orphanage in East Africa.

For the last few years Gordon Crosby, who runs Grosvenor House Menswear in Duke Street, and his wife Connie have been raising money for various water pump projects in Kenyan villages.

The couple have made regular visits to Kenya to check on the progress.

Last year Gordon launched the Pennies from Heaven Appeal, through the Star, in which people were asked to donate their spare pennies. The Crosbys were astounded by the generosity of St Helens people who immediately warmed to the cause.

However, this year Pennies from Heaven will have a new significance as Gordon told the Star: "We went over to Kenya in October this year and while there, we visited the Mija-wa-Salami orphanage in Mombasa, which means Place of Peace. We already knew about it because we had seen some of the children who regularly visit local hotels and centres where they will sing to raise money for the orphanage.

"But we weren't prepared for just how little they had. They are given no money from the Kenyan Government so they basically have to survive on charity hand-outs.

"Most of the youngsters were pitifully thin and all wore clothes and shoes which were too big for them. Most of them have their own tragic stories of how they ended up in the orphanage, but despite the fact that they have no relatives to care for them, they greeted us with the most beaming friendly smiles you could imagine."

After witnessing the orphans' plight, Gordon is attempting to raise £1,000 which would cover the cost of a chicken shed in the grounds giving the children the luxury of eating eggs. He said: "I am sending out 50 letters to businesses and churches throughout St Helens appealing for money and if they were to all give £20 each we would have enough.

"The Pennies from Heaven appeal is still going strong as well. Connie and myself have made a commitment to help those children and I am determined to raise the money for their chicken shed."

If you would like to donate some money to the orphanage appeal, an account has now been set up ay Barclays Bank in Church Street and donations can be paid in to 'The African Appeal' on account number 20213470 during normal banking hours. If you have any spare pennies or change which you would like to add to the Pennies from Heaven fund, you can call in to Grosvenor House Menswear.

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