A LADIES charity night in Portishead has raised almost £4,000 for a poor community in Kenya, Africa.

Tanya Marriott, the owner of SoleLution shoe shop, organised a charity event designed to raise money for Educate The Kids, a charity that supports a school near Mombasa. The organisation aims to help children have a better future through education.

Tanya said: “I feel very overwhelmed by the success of the evening. We haven’t finished counting the money raised yet and we have already achieved £3,800.”

Those that attended the event enjoyed a healthy supply of prosecco, watched fashion shows featuring items from local stores, listened to a talk on sustainable fashion, tried beauty and wellness sessions, and heard stories first hand from two amazing young men – Kombe Nzai and Maxwell Ganira - both of which have been helped by the charity.

Guests also took part in support raffles and an auction. Each left with a goody bag.

Tanya added: “It’s amazing to see the next generation who were given an education at the school - built thanks to a British woman who has dedicated the past 24 years to the charity she set up, to help improve their lives – now supporting younger members of their community coming up through the school.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who supported the event in any way.”

Tanya has been supporting those attending Jolaurabi School since 2017.
Pre-worn children’s shoes are collected at SoleLution in Portishead High Street and each year a group of volunteers from North Somerset visits the school to deliver the shoes personally. 

Speaking after one such visit to Kenya in 2019, Tanya said: “It was a complete emotional rollercoaster but it is amazing to actually see in real life the difference we are making to people’s lives.

“Families often live in one room with no electricity and nothing more than a rug to sleep on.

“However the children all seem so happy and content. They are so grateful for the opportunity to get an education; it gives them hope for a better future.

“Shoes protect the children’s feet from many diseases and make the long walk to and from school more comfortable.

“Education could be the step up these children need, to help them escape from poverty."