At St Mary’s Church we wanted to do something positive which would make a real difference in the lives of real people. Ray Pates had links with a charity called TWAM – Tool With a Mission. They collect old tools, refurbish them and send them off to Africa in order that people can make a living and support their families.
The Local News published an article in the September 2022 edition. This raised the profile of TWAM making a real impact on tool collection and we just wanted to update you as to where we are now.
The response to the article has been staggering considering that we are only open 2 hours every first Saturday of the month. To date we have sent three van loads of tools (3-4 tons) to the new TWAM refurbishment centre in Rugby – twam.uk/rugby.
This has been possible with the committed and dedicate work of Ray Pates and David Millington who had the initial vision of St Mary’s East Leake becoming a TWAM collection point.
We hear over and over again that people simply don’t know what to do with those old tools in the shed/garage which they no longer use. Many families find that they are not sure what to do with tools left by a relative who has recently died and find that TWAM is just the place to donate tools knowing they will be well used rather than thrown away.
Overall since we started the project in Spring last year we have sent 3-4 tons of tools for refurbishment including:
- 4 dozen sewing machines along with haberdashery
• 4 knitting machines
• Numerous power tools and building tools
• Joinery tools
• Nails/screws/nuts and bolts
• Spades, shovels
• Surveying tools and many other specialist tools etc etc
So thank you very much, please do keep them coming and spread the word about TWAM to friends, family and neighbours. It really does make a difference.
We Accept: Agricultural and gardening tools, builders tools, carpenters tools, electricians tools, mechanics tools, plumbers tools, Power Tools, sewing and knitting machines, haberdashery, and fully working computers. If in doubt call or email us.
Collection point: The Rectory, 3 Bateman Road, East Leake. LE12 6LN.
We’re open on 1st Saturday of every month from 9am-11am.
For more information, or if you have any questions please contact us on 01509 856566 or via email at [email protected] You can also visit the website at: twam.uk