Perthshire woman to open charity shop for African orphans

Nov 13 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PROMINENT Perthshire businesswoman Ann Gloag is set to open a new charity shop in Perth this evening to raise money for African orphans and drought victims.

Assisted by a host of local tradesmen and businesses, the Maasai Market – situated on the Fair City’s Atholl Street – will stock a range of gifts and crafts, with every penny raised given to Kenyan families affected by the country’s on-going famine.

All the new venture’s overheads are being met by the co-founder of the Stagecoach Group, who has signalled her intention to volunteer in the shop over the coming weeks.

Speaking before the official opening, planned for 6-9pm this evening (Friday), Ms Gloag said “fantastic” produce will be on show.

She added: “All the money will go directly to feed the Maasai families who have been suffering from the drought for months, as well as orphans in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

“Certain parts of Kenya haven’t had rain for two years, so we started a feeding programme which is now providing food for 500 families every day.

“We’ve also been bringing in water by tanker to the Maasai rescue centre, as the wells are dry, and we have over 100 girls to look after.

“The centre has also become the distribution point for the food programme for the Maasai families.

“The people of Perth have been enormously supportive of our charity projects in the past and so we hope they will pop into the Maasai Market to do some of their Christmas shopping,” she said.

Local tradesman Dennis Robb donated his skills to help refit the shop.

He said: “I didn’t hesitate when I was asked to get involved in this worthwhile project and I hope as many people as possible will come along.

“We all get so much at Christmas and eat until we are bursting, yet there are people starving in Africa every day.”

The 30 Atholl Street outlet will be open from 10am to 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Doors open from 10am to 7pm on Thursdays and between 1pm and 4pm on Sundays.