My mum, Heather Ritchie, would be so proud to know that her dream has come true. After years of tireless work, the blind and partially sighted rug makers in The Gambia are now making and selling rugs independently — generating their own income, building dignity, and avoiding the need to beg.

Even more inspiring, they are now passing on those skills to visually impaired children and newcomers, creating opportunities for the next generation.

Although the UK not-for-profit has ended, Rug Aid continues as a charity in The Gambia. We have secured the workshop building until 2030 and have pledged to help maintain it and cover essential running costs, so that every penny the rug makers earn from sales can go toward food, school books, and daily living.

Now we need your help.

It’s that time of year when the bills are due, and this year there are additional workshop repairs needed after monsoon damage.

We would also love to raise enough to enable the students to have a stall at the Gambia Trade Fair — an amazing opportunity for them to showcase and sell their work, gain visibility (including local television coverage), and raise awareness of what they do.

With just £800, we can:

Pay the workshop bills

Repair monsoon damage

Fund a stand at the Gambia Trade Fair

Every donation, no matter the size, helps sustain this life-changing work and honour Heather Ritchie’s extraordinary legacy.

Thank you for helping these talented artisans continue to thrive.