A VOLUNTEER is travelling to Africa this week to help children affected by cerebral palsy by making cardboard chairs.

Helen Hyams, who lives in Old Malton, is helping to run a course in Tamale, Ghana, on making assistive cardboard furniture for disabled youngsters.

Appropriate Paper-Based Technology (APT) provides made-to-measure, locally adaptable chairs and standing frames so that children can have the chance to sit and use their hands, or stand and develop everyday skills themselves.

Helen, a retired paediatric physiotherapist, first went out to Ghana in October 2015, to work at a local clinic, through the Beverley-based charity Jacob’s Well Appeal.

She said: “During my first visit I worked alongside a newly-qualified physiotherapist caring for children with cerebral palsy.

“What stuck me most was the lack of equipment and the children were forced to use very basic plastic chairs in schools, which was a problem due to the lack of support they provide.”

“Children with cerebral palsy are often left to lie on beds or sofas, which doesn’t help with their muscle use.

“Made-to-measure, locally adaptable chairs and standing frames are really necessary so that between therapy sessions the children can have the chance to sit and use their hands, or stand and develop everyday skills themselves.”

Helen said she had attended a course in this country learning how to make cardboard furniture.

“The chairs are constructed from cardboard and paper before being painted and varnished ready for use,” she said.

“From there I made a further trip to Ghana last September to do the groundwork for a course aimed at local people.”

Helen will be spending three weeks in the country running the course with an occupational therapist and a trustee from Jacob’s Well.

A fundraising concert at St Mary’s Priory Church in Old Malton raised £545, which will be used to held fund the training.

“Our aim is the spread the word so more people can make these chairs,” she said.

“It will make such a difference to parents and their children and help to improve the quality of their lives.”