Cracker is back for an 18th year!

Over that time, the generosity of the local population has meant that charities around the world have benefited to the tune of more than £1.1 million.

This year, the list of projects covers countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, India and South Africa, with hospitals, schools and community health projects to the fore.

Radio Cracker members Drew Robinson and Adrian Pogue are just back from seeing some of the Mission Africa projects in Nigeria which have been supported in previous years, and they have been most impressed by the way in which those donations were put to good use.

The wheelchair project in Jos for victims of polio, and new projects in Ogugu to provide accommodation and a clean water supply will benefit from this year’s money. (www.missionafrica.org.uk / www.advanceaction.org)

Last year, enough money was given to the charity “Second Sight” to carry out 1,000 cataract operations in Orissa and Bihar states in India, and it is hoped to do that again this year.

Charity founder, Lucy Mathen, was in India in August, and met one of the children who underwent an operation to get back his sight, and she was told by his teacher that he is now top of his class in school – a wonderful story of new hope for that young boy. (www.secondsight.org.uk)

Emmanuel Hospitals in India have been the beneficiaries of Radio Cracker funds for many years. Last year, Broadwell Christian Hospital was able to build new staff accommodation to replace the damp, cramped former building and this year Chinchpada Christian Hospital will receive money to build a new 20 bed maternity ward. Chinchpada Hospital, in Maharastra state, serves a mainly tribal community, and the nearest Government hospital is 50km away. Last year it cared for 1,600 in-patients, 6,000 out-patients and conducted 200 deliveries and 400 surgeries. (www.eha-health.org)

Last year, the money that Coaching for Christ received went towards digging a borehole on the site of the proposed new school in Kenya. This is now in full operation, and donations this year will mean that the new school building can be started. Hellen Ochieng, director of the school, was in Ballymena at the beginning of November, and told Radio Cracker members that the borehole had made a major difference to the whole area, never mind just the school, and wanted to pass on her thanks to everyone concerned for their compassion, love and faithfulness. (www.coaching4christ.co.uk)

McCord Hospital in Durban, South Africa, has been providing medical services to under-served communities there for over 100 years. It was founded as a Mission Hospital, and Christian values underpin all areas of service. The 21 bed maternity ward conducts 1,700 deliveries per year, but is in need of a major upgrade, and funds from Radio Cracker will go towards this. (www.mccord.org.za)

Zoe-Life is involved in numerous projects in support of communities affected by the scourge of HIV/Aids in South Africa. In conjunction with Westville Christian Fellowship, it hopes to embark on an ambitious project to build a church, a school and other multi purpose buldings in the Chesterville area of Durban, and funds from Radio Cracker will provide a classroom at the school. (www.zoe-life.co.za)

Radio Cracker will go on air Saturday 27th November broadcasting on 107.6FM same as last year. If you have friends or family abroad, you can tell them to listen in on the internet at our website www.radiocracker.org.uk, where you can also find more details of this year’s projects.

Tune in to hear many old favourites such as Billy McFarland and Colly Graham, with new presenters coming on board as well. The ever popular School Spot is in its usual place each weekday morning, with school choirs singing live in Montgomerys Restaurant.

The Cracker shop is back in the old Tourist Information site on Church Street, and provides a wide range of craft and Christmas gift ideas. There will be the usual Cracker concerts and Carol Service again this year – these will be advertised in the near future on air and in the local media