Save your stamps and help transform the lives of those affected with the devastating disease of leprosy.
That’s the message from The Leprosy Mission this Christmas as they seek to help the estimated three million people living with irreversible disabilities, including blindness, as a result of late treatment of the condition.
Leprosy is widely believed to be the world’s oldest disease and certainly one of the most stigmatised. The World Health Organisation reports there are around a quarter of a million news cases of leprosy diagnosed globally every year and it is still endemic in 30 countries around the world.
The saved stamps are sold by The Leprosy Mission to collectors, and the money raised goes towards healthcare and education about the disease, which typically hits the poorest people in society living without good sanitation or nutrition.
The One World Centre is organising the collection of stamps on the Island on behalf of The Leprosy Mission and is grateful to the following school and churches for acting as collection points:
Schools:
Arbory
Ashley Hill
Ballasalla
Ballaugh
Bunscoill
Cronk y Berry
Marown
Onchan
St Johns
Scoill yn Jubilee
Willaston
Ballakermeen
QEII
St Ninians
Churches:
Ballasalla
St Matthews (Douglas)
The Cathedral (Peel)
Trinity Methodist (Douglas)
Stamps can also be sent to the One World Centre at Thie Garey Ny Cloie, Foxdale Road, St Johns, IM4 3AS
Please cut the stamps out neatly with at least a 5mm margin each side. The collections will continue until the end of January 2015 before being passed to a Leprosy Mission representative in February.
Rosemary Clarke, Director of the One World Centre, said: “It only takes a few seconds to cut out the stamp before throwing your envelopes in the recycling bin, and it’s such as easy way to help others who are far less fortunate. We’d like to thank all the schools and churches who are taking part and it would be great for individuals, families and workplaces to join in as well.”
For more details contact the One World Centre on 800464 or email info@owciom.org.
