Christian volunteers ask for help in polio fighting mission (From Enfield Independent)

Christian volunteers Christ Ambassadors ask for help in polio fighting mission

10:31am Friday 31st August 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

A Christian group is urging people to help send 5,000 polio-fighting packs to Nigerian children.

Members of Christ Ambassadors, based in Enfield, are desperately fundraising in order to take the kits to northern Nigeria in two weeks time.

The packs, which include exercise books, pens and sponges, will be distributed to under five-year-olds during national polio immunisation days in high risk states in Nigeria.

They hope the packs will act as incentives and will increase attendance at immunisation days.

They have raised £2,500 so far – enough for 1,086 kits, but with each kit costing £2.30, they are short of £9,000.

Dr Elizabeth Babatunde, member of Christ Ambassadors, said: “We are trying to raise as much money as we can and we will start assembling the packs so we need more people to donate.”

The group organised a sponsored run in Albany Park on Sunday, which raised £900.

The Mayor of Enfield, Councillor Kate Anolue, attended the run to show her support to the fundraisers.

Dr Babatunde added: "The run was so good – it rained for two minutes and even with the rain they were all just enjoying being together."

 She asked people to organise their own sponsored runs in a bid to raise as much money as possible for the good cause.

Polio, which can result in paralysis, is transmitted through contaminated food, drinking water, faeces and swimming pool water.

Christ Ambassadors are a group of volunteers dedicated to offering mentoring services and evangelism training to young people in the community.

To visit their Facebook page, click here .