“Send a Cow” is the well known charity that gives poor families in Africa the means to get themselves out of extreme poverty by their own efforts.

It began over 25 years ago in Uganda, which is one of the countries twinned with Ross-on-Wye. The work has now spread to six other countries, Zambia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Kenya, Ethiopia and Burundi. In the early days Friesian dairy cows were actually flown out, but today all animals to be given away are bought locally.

The charity was started by West Country Farmers and is still in the hands of people with sound farming knowledge. The cost of providing a top quality cow is £650.

Incredibly, until the end of the year, the UK government has promised to double up any gift given to “Send a Cow” (up to £5 million). To take advantage of this generous Government Aid Scheme for some of the world’s most needy people, Geoff Blake is going to stage an afternoon reading his own inimitable poetry. This will take place at Ross Baptist Church, Broad Street on Tuesday, December 12th at 2.30pm. The poetry will last about an hour and will be followed by tea and Janet’s famous cakes.

The afternoon will be free of charge, but visitors will be asked to make whatever donation they can.

After farming in Africa himself for some years and serving in the UK as a voluntary Ambassador for “Send a Cow”, Geoff Blake says he has not seen a better way to help starving people fend for themselves. He hopes that there will be such a good response from members of the public that his target of £650 for a top quality dairy cow will be met. The ripple effect from one cow is known to touch ten more families. If that was to be doubled the impact would be massive.

If you are unable to attend please consider making a donation at www.sendacow.org