The Rotary Club of Poynton have loaned over £16,000 to entrepreneurs from poor communities, and are encouraging local residents to get involved this Christmas.

Residents of Poynton can purchase a Lend with Care Christmas voucher, starting at £15 , as part of the club’s “make a loan, change a life” campaign.

Lendwithcare is a microfinance charity which enables people in the UK to make small loans to entrepreneurs from poor communities around the world.

Lenders can then choose which entrepreneur to lend the money to and watch them work their way out of poverty.

Organiser for the local club, Kay Scott said she was proud to be a part of the initiative.

“You see exactly who the money is going to and what they will use it for”, she said.

“The entrepreneur uses the funds to help them to earn a living, often employing family members and neighbours as well, helping to lift their communities out of poverty.  They pay the loans back, which can be re-loaned to person after person.  That money will keep being re-loaned and re-loaned, translating into many millions of pounds worth of loans over the coming years”,

The Rotary Club of Poynton is one of hundreds of Rotary clubs from across the country which have collectively raised one million pounds for the charity.

Besie Phiri is one of the entrepreneurs helped by the club. Married with 4 children at school she started a business 6 years ago selling soap,batteries,salt from her grocery stall. Her new loan will help her to expand her stock, and hence profits and extent she can support her family.

For more information contact PoynyonRotaryLWC@hotmail.com or www.lendwithcare.org.,