Refugee charity has new director

After four years as director of Friends of Conakry Refugee School (FCRS), Jackie Watkins is handing the baton to Angie Saganowska, who has been a trustee of the charity of two years. Jackie has seen FCRS through a rollercoaster ride of events since taking over the directorship, including when the Ebola epidemic hit just as computers were shipped out, catering classrooms kitted out and Language, Catering and Computer classes advertised as the result of successful fundraising. Schools were closed for several months and public gatherings banned and funding became even more of a challenge, but a new structure is in place as Jackie takes the reins.
Meanwhile FCRS trustee Kathy Watson recently completed the 84-mile coast-to-coast Hadrian’s Wall National Trail. Kathy walked the trail as a personal challenge in the year leading up to her 60th birthday, starting the day after she turned 59, but then decided to raise funds for the FRCS – eventually raising over £1,100. Kathy says, “I walked the first two days alone… later on, I joined a group of other walkers, and the scenery became more wild, with views that were breathtaking at times. The walk ended with a 15-mile day walking from Carlisle along the Solway Firth with views of Scotland and ending in the pub with a big pot of tea at Bowness on Solway!”