THOUSANDS of miles from home on an African holiday of a lifetime, the last thing you expect to find is an ambulance with "ICI Runcorn" painted on the door!

Holidaymaker Vince Clark couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the brand new Renault Espace parked outside The Turtle Bay Beach Hotel in Kenya.

"We'd travelled all that way on a 12-hour flight and were amazed to see this ambulance parked in the hotel grounds," said Vince, of Melton Road, Runcorn.

"The driver told us it had been sent by Eddy and Shirley Johnson, of Runcorn.

"When they were on holiday two years ago, they saw the acute poverty and deprivation in the area."

The Johnsons were shocked to discover the nearest hospital for the population of more than 15,000 was two hours away in Mombasa - and there was no ambulance.

When they arrived home, they started a charity - the Paper Chase Trust - to help the people of Watamu.

Vince has visited the village clinic of Watamu and met the locum, Dr Aram.

He was able to see for himself how important the ambulance is to the local community and how grateful the people are.

"Dr Aram told us that so far the ambulance has been involved in nine emergencies varying from postnatal complications, acute appendicitis, comotose malaria and poisoning.

"In this last case, all of the emergency equipment in the ambulance was needed and the patient survived.

"So far, it has almost certainly saved the lives of two people, possibly more, and alleviated the suffering of others."

Eddy and Shirley Johnson are now trying to raise enough money to build a hospital and have raised £5,000 in the past 17 weeks.

They plan to return to Kenya in November.

They are appealing for medical equipment, children's clothes, underwear, shoes and the like.

Spare parts and a manual for the Renault Espace ambulance are also needed as the driver, Salim, wants to be able to maintain and service the vehicle himself.

They also need a two-way radio.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the Johnsons at 14 Alexander Grove, Runcorn, telephone 01928 573664.

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