THREE people from Clynfyw Care Farm made the long trip to South Africa to see for themselves the benefits provided by their ‘Wheelie Good Idea’ project.

The scheme at the farm – which provides social, educational and therapeutic benefits to vulnerable people – sources donated wheelchairs and other mobility equipment, which they refurbish and send in shipping containers around the world, getting it to places where it can transform their lives.

Similar containers have also been sent to Kenya, and to help the refugees in Greece and Syria.

And now three of those involved in filling the shipping containers that carry the vital equipment have seen firsthand the difference it can make.

The trip was the idea of resident Hywel Davies, 52, who has lived at Clynfyw, just outside Abercych, for the past four years.

“I wanted to go out there and see what was happening with the stuff we are sending over,” said Hywel.

It was the first time Hywel had been abroad and he was accompanied by development workers Andrew O’Connell, 29, and Huw Jones, 48.

As luck would have it, they arrived in Durban at the start of their two-week visit at exactly the same time as one of their shipping containers and played a big part in unloading and distributing the much-needed equipment.

“The equipment can benefit hundreds of people,” said Huw.

“We travelled an hour into the hills to a church outside Durban and handed out sticks and walking aids to ladies in their 70s and 80 who had no idea they were going to get anything.

“The area was called the Valley of 1000 Hills and these ladies would think nothing of walking eight to 10 miles to get to the church every week and for them, the sticks we handed out were so useful.

“It sounds very basic but they were so grateful and it has a massive impact on their lives.”

The trio also saw how one of their old containers was being converted into a kitchen at a school and creche facility and they spent time helping to decorate a couple of portable buildings.

They also came back with ideas of how to further help the local population.

“We now have a good idea of what is useful and needed out and there are further things that we would like to do to,” said Huw.

“One idea is to make basic toys for the children, who would otherwise have nothing. It is such a simple idea but it would be so welcomed.”

The next container is already being filled and it is hoped more of Clynfyw’s participants could make a similar trip in the future.

On Friday 21st July, the three travellers will give a presentation at Clynfyw about their trip and the Wheelie Good Idea project as a whole. Everyone is welcome.

To learn more about Clynfyw, visit www.clynfywco.uk