Clothes, books and make-up are among the items that will help improve the lives of Indian youngsters, as John Pagani from the town’s Cafe Royal works to support the Light of Literacy project in Delhi.
John said: “I asked them what they needed, because we’re going over in January.
“They’ve asked for clothes for four to 18-year-olds, and pens — not pencils, because they all write in pen.
“And we’re going to take them £1000, which is their rent for next year.”
Noting the amount required to sustain the project, he added: “The rent is their biggest expenditure; it means they’re going for another year, which is great — and that’s completely down to Annan folk.”
Over recent years John has helped raise hundreds of pounds for a project which supports about 40 children, offering them a safe alternative to the mean streets of Delhi and providing a learning environment.
Donations of early stage reading books are being welcomed, but so too is make-up — explaining it is a luxury for the project’s teenage girls.
John said: “They would never ever spend money on because it’s not an essential; it’s one of those things that every teenage girl wants to try.”
Seeking donations, he added: “There’s bound to be loads of girls out there who got make-up that they’ve either bought or used or used once, and that would be fine, too.”
John and partner Dan are set to fly out to Delhi in January — taking items including two laptops.
A third laptop is set to feature as the star prize in a raffle set to take place in Annan, drawn live on Facebook on the evening of The X Factor TV Final.
John points to the success of the project, with one young man now at university on a state-funded scholarship.
And after strong support from Annan, John said: “The appreciation is incredible, because it’s made a massive difference to them.”
Donations can be made via The Cafe Royal, where raffle tickets will be on sale.
