TIRELESS work by volunteers from a Huddersfield charity is being backed by a plea from organisers for continued public support.

The charity Christian African Relief Trust has already sent seven containers of goods to Africa, to provide vital support for communities in six countries.

But a lack of cash is hindering a more regular shipment of containers to needy people across Africa.

The contents of the containers are donated by people to the CART shop in Huddersfield. But there is often too little money available to send the huge amount of goods the charity receives.

CART is organised by volunteers who collect, sort and pack the donations into the containers. They can not be sent abroad until the necessary funds are available.

It typically costs £5,500 to send one container.

Vanessa Stewart, is a local artist who gives up much of her time to CART where she is a trustee.

She said: "It would be fantastic for people who give us items to go into the containers to consider donating or increasing their donation to us to help provide enough funding to ship the containers.

"We try very hard to respond to requests from the 17 African countries we send to, so we can only send them what they need."

A container funded by Lindley Evangelical Church benefited 139 individuals and organisations last year, including hospitals, schools and churches.

CART run a separate scheme to sponsor children.

www.cartyorkshire.co.uk has more information.