Dealership motors to shiny £600 for Ghana youngsters
AUSED car dealership has raised at least £600 towards a maternity hospital in Ghana.
D&W Cars in Castleton became involved with Ghanaian Christian pastor, Stephen Mensah,
when he met Graham Dawson, who is the father of the co-owner of D&W Cars, John Dawson, through a church in Leeds, where Graham’s wife was a deacon.
Stephen runs the King Jesus Orphanage and School in Tepa, Ghana, and visits England a number of times a year to fundraise and collect items which he travels back to Ghana with.
While visiting England, he met Graham.
The pair became friends, and Graham travelled to Ghana, where he helped to build an orphanage for the homeless children who attend the school, and a factory which produces “garri”, a type of flour.
This is used to feed the children, and the surplus is sold to fund the school.
Co-owner of D&W Cars, John, 33, visited Ghana with his dad in April.
He said: “I didn’t realise my dad had done all this until he invited me and my sister to come with him.
“We didn’t really want to go, but when we did we were amazed by the kindness and humbleness of the people and I wanted to help.”
John came up with the idea of a fun day at D&W and co-owner Stuart Wild, 34, was in support.
The day took place on Sunday, July 21, and £597 was raised.
Through charity Stewardship, an extra 20 per cent will be added onto this, bringing the amount more in line with £700.
John said the day went well.
He said: “We had a ‘paint the car’ activity, bouncy castle, karaoke, and a charity car wash.
“My dad’s wife, Sheila Dawson is good with kids and she did a few party games with them.
“We had an ice cream van and refreshments.
“It was well-attended, we had about 130 people over the course of the day.”
The money will now go towards the construction of a much-needed maternity hospital alongside the school and orphanage.