MONEY is needed by Ringwood Rotary Club to fund an isolation unit at the children’s clinic in Bo in Sierra Leone, which is in the midst of the ebola epidemic in Africa.

Already £500 has been raised for the project but the Rotarians are appealing for more to help stop people dying each day.

More than 3,000 people have been killed by the virus, which causes internal bleeding, across Sierra Leone and its neighbours Guinea and Liberia.

Patients admitted to isolation units receive presumptive treatment while awaiting test results.

Once patients receive test results they will be discharged if negative, or transferred to a treatment unit if positive. Staff safety is a priority and strict adherence to infection control pro-cedures is required to prevent disease transmission.

It is possible that 1.5 million people will have been infected by the end of the year, with the majority of them dying.

Rotarians Caroline Millman and Alistair Stokes were in Sierra Leone earlier this year to help develop a pro-ject in liaison with Ringwood-based Tools for Self Reliance, Bo Rotary Club and Craftshare.

However, just days after Caroline and Alistair returned from Sierra Leone, the ebola virus became virulent and Ringwood Rotary launched an emergency fund for the unit to help in the fight against the spread of the deadly disease.

Training consultant Mrs Millman said: “I must give thanks to the very generous people of Ringwood for, despite all the other calls and charity appeals at this time of the year, they donated not far short of £500 to our emergency appeal towards setting up an ebola isolation unit.”

Ringwood Rotarian Trevor Williams said: “One of the reassuring things about any collections made through Rotary International is the fact that no one is paid for their fundraising services and every pound goes directly to the cause. The local Rotary Club abroad administers the funds without incurring overheads, avoiding also corruption temptations.

“It is a truly efficient way of helping others.”

If anyone wishes to know more about this scheme, call Mrs Millman on 07760 160906.

l To make a contribution, transfer money into the Rotary Club of Ringwood Charity Fund: Sort Code: 40-38-21 Account: 61375237 Reference: Ebola