WHEN Ely barber Tony Milan went to Kenya on holiday, the last thing he thought he would end up doing was fund-raising for a sack of concrete. But when he and his wife visited the village of Mwendon, near Mombasa, they found a school with no toilets, no t

WHEN Ely barber Tony Milan went to Kenya on holiday, the last thing he thought he would end up doing was fund-raising for a sack of concrete.

But when he and his wife visited the village of Mwendon, near Mombasa, they found a school with no toilets, no tables and chairs and a dust floor, where mites would come and eat the children's bare feet as they sat on rocks taken from outside the school.

"My wife was in tears," he told the Ely Standard. "The mites, they tear the children's feet to shreds. There was just a first aid box in the corner but it had nothing in it so we went to get them some things to fill it."

On his return, Mr Milan found enough money to give the school a concrete floor from friends, family and Ely residents.

Fundraising on Ely Market Day last Thursday netted Mr Milan �185 and he is planning a bowling marathon at Strikes on April 7, to raise money for toilets, tables and chairs. The event will start at 7pm and finish at 11pm and is open to experienced and novice bowlers.

If you would like to participate, drop into Tony's Hair Fashion on Ely Market Street, or phone 07933 287868. Prices vary for league and non-league bowlers.

INFO: Mr Milan would also like to hear from anyone with spare shoes for four to nine-year-old children. Please drop them into the barber's shop.

9898HD0309 Tony Milan is raising money for a school in Kenya.

Photo: HELEN DRAKE.