THREE women are setting off on a mercy mission to help orphans and impoverished villages in one of the poorest countries in Africa.

It will be the eighth visit by members of the Thorpe-based Benin Christian Support group.

They will be taking suitcases packed with knitted garments and toys residents have been busy producing over the year.

Founder members Maureen Sanders, of Abbey Crescent, Thorpe, and Penny Waterman, of Frinton, will be joined by Gill Johnson, of Thorpe, for the 16-day visit.

The trio, who leave on Saturday, will visit the orphanage the charity supports and children in the village school.

Mrs Sanders said they hope to help families who struggle to get enough to eat and cannot afford to send their children to school.

They also deal with life-threatening medical problems when they arrive, and will be arranging for the distribution of 28 cases of children’s and babies clothes, school equipment and medical supplies.

Mrs Sanders said: “We never know what we will have to deal with until we get there – we just do our best.”

The charity raises money all year to help the country, and volunteers usually visit twice a year. A trip planned for April was cancelled after travelling costs rocketed because of exchange rates.

Anyone who wishes to donate supplies to the school or orphanage, or contribute to medical costs, can e-mail hope@beninchristiansupport.org.uk