Bungay volunteers sign up to make a difference in India

Margaret Sheppard, 74, and Carol Weaver, 68, will be volunteering for two weeks in New Delhi, and although they are still waiting to be given their placements they hope to help with children’s and women’s projects.

It will be the first time volunteering abroad for Mrs Weaver, although she has travelled across the globe for sightseeing and cookery courses, while Mrs Sheppard spent six weeks volunteering at a school for disabled children in Peru eight years ago.

She said: “We do lots of voluntary work in Bungay between us and Carol said to me that her next trip would be to India and I have always wanted to go, so I said what about if we go together and do some volunteering.

“We will probably be in different placements but we will stay in a safe house in New Delhi together and then get bussed out to our placements each day.

“We both wanted to go to India and we wanted to help while we were there too.”

The duo are paying almost £2,000 each to volunteer, which covers their travel, accommodation and food and helps towards the running of the projects.

They will be flying out on February 16, and after the volunteering they will continue on to Kochi to see a bit more of the country.

“I’m looking forward to the sights, the sounds and the smells,” said Mrs Weaver.

In Bungay both women volunteer at the Fisher Theatre and are involved with the Black Dog Arts group. Mrs Weaver is also involved with Falcon Meadow and the local NSPCC branch, while Mrs Sheppard is a member of the town’s Godric Cycling Club.

To help raise funds and awareness of their trip, the women are hosting a Indian feast at Emmanuel Church Hall in Bungay on January 21. Tickets cost £15 each, and doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets must be booked in advance by January 14, by calling Mrs Sheppard on 01986 892907 or email sheppard22@talktalk.net

The women will be travelling with Cross-Cultural Solutions, which runs international volunteer programmes.