RICE and other donated foods are making a 'huge' difference to the lives of poor people in Zimbabwe, the organiser of a West Devon-based charity this week told the Times.

Almost 2,000kg of rice and other goods reached their destination in Zimbabwe this spring, following an appeal held earlier this year in Tavistock.

The Lions Club of Tavistock and Operation Sunshine, in conjunction with the town's branch of Morrisons, organised the appeal for bags of rice, which were to be sent out by container to Operation Sunshine's partners in New Hope Villages in Zimbabwe.

Here Operation Sunshine's projects support many orphanages and schools caring for children who have been abandoned either through poverty or because they have lost their parents through the AIDS virus.

The appeal was a huge success, as nearly 2,000 one kilo bags of rice were donated, plus 201 tins of tuna and 65 tins of corned beef, after all of the available rice had been purchased.

A spokesman for The Lions Club said members were delighted that the container eventually reached its destination and that the food, along with all the other items including clothing, craft materials, medical equipment and tools that had been included in the container, has now been distributed amongst the people of Bethel New Hope Village.

Ann Tregarthen, organiser for Operation Sunshine in West Devon, said: 'It really does make a tremendous difference. They are desperate for just about everything out there, and it's changing lives, it really is.

'I've been out there and seen it for myself — to see kids out there wearing sweatshirts from local schools here is an incredible experience.'

Ann said Operation Sunshine sent six containers a year to Africa.

Each container has to be bought, which costs around £2,000. The latest shipment cost a total of £10,000 to send.

Ann said: 'We've sent two to Zimbabwe, one to Zambia and one to Dar Es Salaam this year so far.

'The next one is on September 24 to Zimbabwe and on November 26 to Zambia.

'We only send them to a named contact, so it can be distributed safely, and we know where it's all distributed to.'

Ann said Operation Sunshine was 'incredibly grateful' to everyone who supported the charity so generously, including the Lions Club, whose volunteers also help pack the containers.

She said more donations for the next container would be very welcome.

'We are collecting all the time,' she said.

'We could do with some more rice for this container, but we always want children's clothes, particularly teenagers' clothes, educational supplies, bedding, all sorts of things, as long as they are in good condition.'

The goods are stored at Hurdwick Farm, just outside Tavistock.

Anyone who wishes to donate to Operation Sunshine's next container-load of goods should email [email protected]">[email protected] or call Ann Tregarthen on 01822 614343.