Pictured: whg's Shelly Bray (front, centre) with fellow
volunteers before they set off to India
A compassionate whg colleague is among volunteers travelling to
India to lend practical and spiritual support to a community.
whg Community Champion Shelly Bray is one of 12 making the
10-day trip to Adhra Pradesh in southern India.
The volunteers, members of The Church on the Corner in Bentley,
Walsall, will focus their efforts on Mercy Mission, which includes
an orphanage, school, health centre, skills workshop, Bible
training college and church.
whg, one of the Midlands' leading housing providers, has
supported Shelly, who works with single mothers in Bentley and
Blakenall, with a £200 donation.
Mother-of-two Shelly, aged 26, said: "I felt compelled to put
myself forward for the trip and now the day has arrived I am
excited but anxious too. I know it will be different to anything
I've experienced before and it will make me appreciate everything I
have at home."
Shelly's sister, and England women's footballer, Rachel Unitt
donated signed shirts for raffle to contribute towards the costs of
the expedition and the congregation organised carol singing, a
sponsored walk, car wash and barbecues, to name but a few of the
fundraising activities which have taken place.
Connie Jennings, whg Regeneration Programme Manager, said: "We
are so proud of Shelly here at whg. Since joining us in November
she's had a great impact on the communities in which she works and
we know she'll help make this trip a success too."
The team will decorate the orphanage, which accommodates around
100 youngsters, during the stay and entertain the children with
stories, crafts, puppets, games, drama, teaching and prayer.