A recent visit to Africa has inspired a Moray couple to get behind the counter at a charity shop to help fund basic hospital equipment.
For two years Lansana Bangura and his wife Moira have been doing their bit to help farmers and schools in Sierra Leone.
But when Mr Bangura, who is originally from the country, was back in Africa last year he was appalled at the medical facilities.
Sierra Leone was blighted by a civil war from 1991 until 2002 and is now affected by the Ebola epidemic.
Mr Bangura, who runs the Mateiti Agricultural Development Project with his wife from Garmouth, was determined to do something to help his homeland when he returned to Scotland.
He said: “The hospitals there need some quite basic stuff – even just furniture because there is nothing there at the moment.
“I saw people getting treatment just on hard tables. It’s a critical time for people and I felt very bad seeing it.
“With a bit of luck we should be able to give something for the community to be proud of.”
During his visit to Sierra Leone Mr Bangura personally oversaw the distribution of a 40ft container packed with hundreds of items donated by Moray residents.
Previously the charity has focussed on helping farmers’ crops and youngsters boost their career prospects.
Mr Bangura added: “The schools are doing really good now. It’s good to see the improvements.”
The Mateiti Agricultural Development Project will be at the charity shop on Lossiemouth’s Queen Street until Friday, May 5. The store is open 9am to 4pm every day, but is closed on Sunday.
