Unique hand-made bracelet raises money for Mercy Ships

Longfield Designs, based in Sherbourne, Somerset, is donating £1 from each sale of its charity bracelet range, priced between £5 and £8.50, directly to the Mercy Ships UK.

Created by owner Helen Bagwell, the African bead bracelet is a colourful piece made with fairly-traded recycled glass beads from Ghana. Every bracelet is individual as each bead is entirely unique./p>

Longfield Designs’ support of the charity came from personal experience, as the work carried out resonates with the owner’s life.

“I chose to support Mercy Ships UK after reading an article about their work with women in Africa providing fistula operations. I have a great sympathy with women damaged in childbirth, having experienced it myself.

“To think that women in some parts of the world receive no medical attention to repair the damage is heart-breaking. I can see that the work of Mercy Ships transforms peoples’ lives and I want to do my little bit to help,” she said.

Mercy Ships operates the world’s largest charity hospital ship, the Africa Mercy – a converted Danish rail ferry which is now a state-of-the-art hospital ship with six operating theatres, X-ray facilities, a CT scanner, a pharmacy and a laboratory. It is staffed by an international crew of dedicated volunteers from over 40 nations.

The Somerset jeweller’s bracelet also helps to beat African poverty in another way, as Helen explains: “After much searching I managed to find fairly-traded recycled glass beads made by women in West Africa and based the design around them.

“I hope the African themed bracelet will appeal to ladies who are supporters of Mercy Ships UK – and men who are looking for presents. It will also appeal to people who may not have heard of the charity’s work but would like to buy a piece of jewellery that will contribute to a fantastic cause.”