Garage sale to help street children

Andy and Heidi Belton of Arthur Road plan to spend months in one of the poorest corners of the world so they can help build a safe place for youngsters to grow up in and have a better chance in life.

They need to pay for their own flights and expenses so on Saturday they opened up their garage door and let visitors pour inside - in front of them a huge array of tools, clothes, household decorations, knick-knacks, jewellery, gadgets, and remnants of the life Andy and Heidi will leave behind.

Andy said: "People started coming early but it has gone right through and it has been really good. Everyone has been having coffee and cake and giving us donations, and there has been a lot of interest in our quest. I have had people coming in that know me from way back and they are turning up and saying - well done...it's what it's all about."

Heidi added: "It is just excellent."

The couple had more than a little help from friends and family, including Andy's son Joe and wife Sarah - with moral support coming from Josh, Niamh and Jack - as well as Andy's sisters Di Harvey and Nicky Henshey, and his mum Edna.

He commented: "I would like to thank all the people that have supported us really.

"People have been very generous."

They have already been receiving support and donations for their next event which is happening tomorrow, a sponsored 20-mile walk from Rye to Bexhill.

They will leave early in the morning to catch the train out, then will begin the long journey home, using mainly the 1066 route.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor should telephone on 01424 222159.