Star backs college campaign

An international football star has backed a Shropshire college fundraising campaign and trip to build an orphan house in Africa.

Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James, is the new patron of Wrekin College’s trip to Malawi to build the second phase of Wrekin Orphan House.

The first phase was built in 2005 after staff and students from the college in Wellington raised nearly £20,000.

A group of 15 students from the college, joined by Shropshire Star’s crime correspondent Kirsty Marston, will be travelling to Malawi to help with the orphan house in July after already raising £15,000 in just a few weeks.

James launched the David James Foundation in 2005 after visiting Malawi with fellow England stars Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, and has now added his support to Medic Malawi, the charity which Wrekin College raises money for.

In a letter to Jim and Sally Mostyn, organisers of the trip, Mr James said: “I am happy to support and act as patron for your visit to Malawi this year.

“The work you are undertaking is important on a number of fronts.

“You are taking direct, practical action for the poorest where they need it most, involving young people in development issues at the front line and engaging people back in the UK to get involved.

He praised the work of the youngsters from Wrekin College and offered a signed pair of his goalkeepers gloves to raise cash.