Orphans’ emotional thank-you to children

Children during their performance which has been raising money to pay for a cow for a Ugandan orphanage SUS-150616-150954001

For years, the Lancing-based flute ensemble Home and Away has been arranging fundraisers for an orphanage in the impoverished African country.

Recently, they have managed to raise enough cash to pay for a second cow for the orphanage, providing scores of needy children with fresh milk on a daily basis.

Now, the musical co-ordinator of the group, Patricia Enticknapp, has revealed how the African youngsters have written to their English supporters, thanking them for all their love and kindness.

Patricia, who holds flute lessons at her home in Leconfield Road, Lancing, said: “It was just amazing. We had about 30 or 40 letters, drawings of cows and love hearts.

“They said things like, ‘thank you for loving us first’ and ‘we love you in return’.

“It was lovely and quite emotional to receive something like that.”

The fundraising idea was the brainchild of Patricia’s son, Luke Cambridge, 13, a talented young flautist.

She explained: “When Luke was just eight, he saw an advert appealing for help to provide fresh drinking water.

“He was really touched by this and wanted to do something.”

Patricia estimates the young music group’s campaign has raised thousands of pounds, with this year alone generating about £2,000.

Their latest effort, a musical show at the Lancing Tabernacle Church on Monday, saw Luke performing with Jessie Mercer, 12, Terri McLenahn, 12, Charlie Rossetter, seven, Grace Briggs, ten, Hayley Quinn, 12, and Abbie Mckintyer, 13.

Luke and friends have also been busking on the streets of Worthing, raising £170, which they presented to Elaine Brunton, on behalf of Living Hope ministries.

The cash will go towards constructing a new playground slide for the Ugandan orphanage.

“I know just how hard all the children work on their music,” added Patricia.

The group’s efforts have since been praised by the Worthing branch of banking group NatWest, said Patricia.

She explained the children had all been touched by the response of locals to their fundraising ploys and hoped this would continue.

She said other young flautists from Lancing, keen to join the group from September could call her on 01903 763806.