WHEN it comes to Christmas spirit there are no Scrooges in Tavistock.

That is the view of one man who launched a seasonal mission to help a disabled young African girl to walk. Derek Perry has raised almost £400 for five-year-old Linda and is 'delighted' with the goodwill and generosity of the public.

He collected the money by standing outside the town's Somerfield and Safeway stores.

A reformed alcoholic and unemployed carpenter — unable to work because of a spinal injury — Derek, 42, was determined to make a difference for Linda this Christmas.

'My reason was that I had a history of alcohol and drug abuse and now I'm 20 years sober.

'I felt that I had been given a second chance and this was my chance to help someone, so I was determined not to waste it.'

He met the parents of five-year-old Linda — Sadiki and Violette — when they visited Tavistock as guests of Kings, the Tavistock Community Church.

Sadiki, who runs the Family of God Church in Rwanda, told him that during the Rwandan genocide Violette had been beaten up by soldiers when she was seven months pregnant. As a result severe damage had been caused to the then unborn Linda.

'I'm a single person — but I love children. I see them in our church running up to their parents getting hugs. But Linda can hardly walk or talk — but for the sake of a few hundred pounds she can get help that could help her gain the use of her legs and vastly improve her quality of life,' said Derek.

Liz Hardinge, a physiotherapist who comes from Devon and now works in Rwanda, will work with Linda and hopes she can help with a physiotherapy course.

Derek praised West Devon Borough Council — once they knew why he wanted to raise the money he said they could not have been more helpful in issuing him a licence.

He also said staff at both Tavistock stores were 'brilliant' in their support and provided him with tea and hot soup.

'A lot of people from other churches and fellowships gave encouragement.

'Apart from one person who was negative people were tremendous. They were asking: "Who is Linda?". When I told them they said keep up the good work. One man had no change and said he would come back the next day. And he did — with £10!' he said.

'We hear that Christmas has become very commercialised — but I had children putting their pocket money in.'

Derek said people recognised Christmas was a time of giving — and simply wanted to help others less fortunate than themselves.

He said he would love to help more people in Rwanda.

'I can teach woodwork but I can no longer do the physical side. I'd like to set up a small woodwork school out there,' he said.

But his main wish this Christmas is to see Linda walking.

Derek is still raising funds for her. If you would like to help he can be contacted on 01822 834465.