The woman who set up an orphanage to give new hope to children in Kenya has visited Sandbach to meet first-hand those who are helping to raise funds for the project. 

Anne Chege, in her 70s, set up New Hope Children's Centre, in 1999 with one mission – to help educate and nurture the children in her care. Since then, the project has had many success stories. 

Wheelock fundraiser, Colin Dalton and his wife Claire, are part of a team of UK fundraisers continuously raising money to help fund the project in Kenya. 

Anne Chege paid a whistle-stop tour with her daughter Caroline Mburu and Cecila Wambui in the aptly named Hope Street in Sandbach town centre. (Photo: Colin Dalton)

Dad-of-two Colin is the lead fundraiser of the North West-based New Hope Support Group, a group of like-minded individuals who have dedicated time and effort to supporting a community based in Upland, Kenya. 

Anne Chege paid a whistle-stop tour with her daughter Caroline Mburu and Cecila Wambui, who works at the project, to Sandbach to meet local supporters and visit schools involved in the project.  

Anne visited Sandbach School which is involved in the project and where Colin's annual fundraising disco is held. This year the New Hope Support Group Halloween Spooktacular takes place on Saturday, 2nd November. 

And a special afternoon tea was hosted at Colin and Claire's Wheelock home in Sandbach for Anne, Caroline and Cecila to meet fellow Sandbach supporters involved in the project.  

Colin and Claire hosted an afternoon tea at their Wheelock home for Anne, Caroline and Cecila and local supporters of the project. (Photo: Colin Dalton)

Anne said: "Many of these children are facing difficult challenges and the work and fundraising which is done helps us to continue with our work. 

"Our aim is to provide a home for these children and to educate them so they can become independent and progress into good jobs and careers and be able to support themselves and their families. 

"As long as I am able to speak and work I will carry on with my job. The children call me 'mum'. It's a very happy place and we have so many success stories with children coming to us then leaving when they are older to go on to good jobs. 

"We have had nurses, teachers, police officers, cabin crew, plumbers and all sorts of occupations. They learn important transferable skills with us which helps them to progress in life."  

Colin and his family during their visit last year. (Photo: Colin Dalton)

Last year, Colin and his family went out to Kenya to visit the project as we told here  During the trip, Colin and the rest of the group handed out 200kg of clothes donations from Manchester City, MMU, Sandbach Striders, friends and various schools. 

The visit also included a trip to the mother and baby unit for the project has provided baby formula and food and an announcement that the project is able to provide the funds to reconnect the water supply for the next two months. 

They also celebrated the 21st birthday of one of the first babies at New Hope, a child called Esther and had visits from New Hope university students. 

Colin and his team are now busy working on this year's big fundraiser – the fifth New Hope night at Sandbach School with the band Constance and Ray Thomson playing live. All funds will go to purchasing a biogas system for New Hope Children's Centre, Tickets are available from this link here

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