THE philanthropic arm of a major Cirencester employer has donated an impressive sum to a Fairford charity that builds toilets in one of the poorest parts of Sierra Leone.

The St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation presented Help Madina with a cheque for £2,500 on Thursday, September 12.

In attendance at the presentation was Dr Rohit Sethi, chair of trustees for Help Madina, charity volunteers Eddie Stokes and Simon Michelson and George Gray, foundation representative.

The foundation - the philanthropic arm of financial advice company St. James’s Place - is supporting the work of the charity as part of its grant-making programme.

The donation will help to build crucially-needed toilets in the town of Madina in Sierra Leone.

Help Madina supports medical and community projects in the town, which is located in the north of the West African country.

The average income in Madina is around $1 a day, with daily life consisting of basic amenities.

There is no electricity or running water, simple accommodation exists in the form of huts and sanitation is poor.

Several years ago, the local community asked Help Madina to build toilets for those who were most in need - specifically families with children.

After conducting research, Help Madina proposed the building of ventilated improved pit latrines using local materials and builders.

To date, Help Madina has constructed 212 toilets on an ad hoc basis as funding allows, though this is only a fraction of what is needed.

Each toilet costs £75 to build, with the family helping to dig the pit.

The aim is to accelerate the building programme, building at least one toilet a week.

The grant from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation will assist in achieving this goal.

It is reported that up to three children have died in the area due to snake bites while using open fields as a toilet.

The priority is to build facilities for families with young children to ensure their privacy and safety.

The private facilities will also offer wider public health benefits within the community.

To support Help Madina, visit helpmadina.org.uk