On behalf of the PCYC, John and Jenny Bruno contacted Malou Deakin to talk about her self-funded charity assisting numerous villages throughout the Philippines.

Mrs Deakin said a box of good-quality colour run shirts from last year would be sent to a deserving group of school children in the northern part of Cagayan Valley.

“I’ve decided to donate the shirts to Delfin Albano High School San Juan Annex of San Juan village in a remote town of Cabagan, Isabela,” she said.

The area was badly-damaged by typhoon Lawin before Christmas. Houses are still missing roofs and three classrooms at Delfin Albano High School are unusable due to safety concerns.

“I visited the school of about 700 students last year and got to know the teachers. 

“I’ve sent books, soft toys and solid food to them to kind of compensate for all the devastation,” she said.

Mrs Deakin said students were heartbroken to see their bags, books and stationary ruined but hoped the shirts may add smiles to their faces.

“This just shows that somewhere in the world someone is concerned for the students and want to put a smile on their faces, showing that they care and love them,” she said.

She sent a large thanks to the Moree PCYC, in particular the Bruno family, for the donation.

“It is a devastating time but I know these children will be so excited to receive the good-quality shirts.”

Mrs Deakin also took the opportunity to thank the Moree community as a whole for their ongoing contributions to her self-funded charity.

“It means so much to the children and it means so much to me.”

Many of the items donated to Mrs Deakin include books which often fascinate the children.

“Books in the Philippines look like they’ve been photocopied about 20 times so when they open up the books I send over their eyes light up,” she said.