The Llanelli Star has thanked readers for their help with a six-month aid project which saw reporter Greg Jones and photographer Terry Morris fly to Tanzania.

Readers donated mountains of toys, books and games after the South Wales weekly newspaper teamed up with the Aid into Africa organisation to help 25,000 children in the world’s third poorest country.

And after six tons of educational and medical supplies had been collected, reporter Greg and photographer Terry travelled to Tanzania for an 11-day visit to help distribute the aid.

The Star launched its New Year appeal after charity leader Alan Cable called the paper to ask if it would be interested in covering the distribution of aid – and journalists decided to go one better, setting up collection points across the paper’s circulation area.

And to mark the end of the successful six-month project, the Star has published a 16-page supplement, chronicling how it was all achieved, and featuring photographs of Tanzanian schoolchildren and interviews with teachers and aid workers.

Greg said: “It only took one phone call from Alan to alert us to the possibilities. We created a New Year appeal for aid supplies which was brilliantly supported by readers and local businesses.”

Terry added: “Tanzania’s poverty has to be seen to be believed. There is a real hunger for education. It was immensely satisfying to see the books and toys collected in Llanelli going to very worthy homes.”

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