So, generous people, an update… seventeen boxes of encyclopaedias were delivered this morning (it took me while to work that out – 16 x 6 + 1x 4 = 100). I then carried them, gasping, up three flights of stairs (these are substantial encyclopaedias, hardcover, 320 pages, no need to go to the gym this week, will need to see the osteopath encyclopaedias) and took this snap for posterity. I now have to ring the shipping company (and, at some point, carry them back down two flights of stairs, hurrah). They won’t get to Sierra Leone before Christmas, sadly, but as soon as they arrive, I will provide photographic evidence.

Again, thank you all so much. This will really help make a difference for a lot of children out there.