This is the generous amount of goods the people of Harborough have collected for struggling families in Malawi

They have filled over 1000 boxes and bags with clothes and toiletries for the struggling people of Malawi in south-east Africa.

The landlocked nation was battered by catastrophic floods which killed over 50 and displaced an incredible 200,000 people last March.

As part of the local bid to help the country’s devastated population a 40ft container was set up at Harborough Rubber on Market Harborough’s Riverside Industrial Estate.

Basic necessities we take for granted were packed into an astonishing 1300 boxes and bags loaded into the container in a marathon nine-day mission.

They will be shipped almost 6,000 miles to be handed out to bereft families in southern Malawi.

The highly-organised operation of mercy was led by Janet Stafford.

She was backed up by a small army of willing helpers as they sorted, packed, weighed and listed everything handed in.

Janet said: “It was all hands on deck – I can’t praise our volunteers enough.

“They were all brilliant – giving us so much time and effort and with a smile on their faces.

“Staff at the Rubber Company gave us huge support while even the winter weather smiled kindly upon us as it stayed dry.”

As well as clothing and toiletries, she’s also collected special equipment for blind and disabled people and schools.

“Everything has been donated over the last year by individuals and churches all over the Harborough area.

“It’s been a magnificent achievement and our hearts go out to all those who have contributed,” said Janet, who independently backs a Malawian charity in the south of the country supporting people in the villages and mountains.

“They will do so much good for the suffering people of Malawi and we truly appreciate their help.”

The container is due to arrive in Malawi late next month.

Janet Stafford will be there with her Malawian colleague Pastor Lapson Mbewe to personally oversee the distribution to people in greatest need.