BARCLAYS Bank staff are to fly to Malawi this weekend to set up a computer suite for homeless children.

The team work for the bank at Gadbrook Park at Rudheath, and have raised more than £20,000 to buy the equipment in just nine months.

The matched funding scheme at Barclays has doubled the total to more than £40,000.

The team will be working at the Chisomo Children’s Centre in Lilongwe, a partner centre of the north west-based charity Retrak.

“Sarah Wright and myself have young children in the age bracket of the homeless children,” said Shelley Blevins, who will be part of the team making the trip.

“We couldn’t imagine our children having to look after themselves, having no access to food, water, clothing or education.

“From there we went out to our colleagues and offered the opportunity to join us. We had an amazing response, and have been blown away by the support and are proud of our achievement.”

The money raised by the team has been used to buy equipment for 12 work stations, monitors, keyboards, PCs, keyboards and associated equipment, and to employ an IT teacher for two years.

The funding has also paid for air conditioning for the IT suite, and for training for outreach workers and workers in the centre.

“The centre provides a safe place to sleep, as well as medical facilities, food and qualified counsellors, and we have forger and close and strong relationship with Retrak,” said Shelley.

“During out trip we will take the children on a day trip to Lake Malawi, visit the slum parts of the city to encourage street children to use the centre and visit a women’s group which saved a few pence each week and changed their lives by opening a small business with their savings.

“We hope to leave a lasting legacy for the children’s education, which they value immensely and realise it is the way to make a better life for themselves.”

Shelley thanked everyone for their support, including Bexton, Pensby, Leftwich and Wharton primary schools, Rudheath Primary Academy, and the Relish Tandoori and Holdi restaurants.

“Our families, friends and colleagues have been a huge support, and without their continued backing and Barclays’ belief in supporting our communities we wouldn’t be seeing this vision become a reality,” she added.