THE local ambassador for a charity helping families in Africa has encouraged people in the area to give a charitable gift to a loved one this Christmas.

Jenny Reynolds from Bridestowe represents the charity Send a Cow. For more than 25 years the charity has provided livestock, training and ongoing support to poverty-stricken African families. Send a Cow aims to provide long term solutions to effect substantial and sustainable change for farmers and communities across Africa.

The Send a Cow Christmas catalogue is filled with gift ideas that help those in poverty. In the catalogue, you can elect to buy a charitable gift that will go directly to a family in Africa.

From a small donation for a chicken or watering can, to larger donations to build things like beehives, or for education and hygiene, the 'presents' purchased through the catalogue will have a lasting effect on the lives of families in Africa.

Jenny said: 'This is the perfect present for someone you love who doesn't really want any more things, but would be thrilled to have a card saying you had given them something like a virtual goat and that therefore a real one is going to change the life of a poor family for good.'

'I would be delighted to hear from anyone interested, and also to speak to any clubs, groups, churches, school and other organisations who would like to hear how the charity works.'

You can pick up a catalogue from most of the churches in the area, and from Country Lanes Garden Centre, Okeford Veterinary Centre in Okehampton and Café Revive.

Alternatively, you can see the catalogue online at http://www.sendacow.org/gifts">www.sendacow.org/gifts or find out more by calling Jenny on 01837 861678.