Collection on behalf of Tools for Self Reliance

Residents of Thame and the neighbourhood were invited to donate their old tools on behalf of the charity called "Tools for Self Reliance".

The Club had a very good response to the collection which took place near the Thame Market House. The selection of tools that was donated was amazing, nearly a tonne, and included just about everything for a small engineering workshop, including an arc welding machine. For carpenters there was a good selection of tools, even a two man double sided saw!  Added to that were three hand sewing machines which will be a great help for making and altering clothes. Please visit our Picture Gallery to view some pictures taken during the collection.

Working with local organisations in some of the poorest countries in Africa, this charity refurbishes tools in the UK and then sends them out to communities in Africa. The charity supports rural artisans and craft workers with tools and training so they can improve their businesses. For details of their work see www.tfsr.org The Rotary Club of Thame has been carrying out collections on behalf of TFSR for the past 10 years or so, usually taking about a ton of tools to the TFSR workshops near Southampton. They can make use of just about anything except broken, poor quality or disposable tools; typewriters, computers, books, lawnmowers, cooking pots, bicycles, knitting machines, domestic quality power tools, or garden tools. Rotarian Erroll Bateman said: "The Rotary Club of Thame would like to encourage everyone to check their garages and lofts and bring their unwanted items to us to give the craftsmen in Africa a chance to put their skills to good use for the benefit of their community as we believe it is a worthy cause."

Here are some examples of tools we were looking for: Blacksmiths tools – especially anvils, leg vices, hand operated pillar drills; Carpentry tools – especially large carpenters’ vices, metal jack planes and tri-planes, drawknives; Engineering and Metalworking tools – especially HSS twist drills, metric taps & dies, hand operated bench grinders; Bicycle repair tools – especially spoke spanners; Shoe repair tools – especially complete sets of individual lasts; Auto mechanics’ tools – especially HD screw jacks, tyre pressure gauges, foot-pumps; Electrical repair tools – especially multi-meters, desoldering equipment; Arc Welders (240V); Industrial quality power tools – especially drills and bench grinders. TFSR also sends out certain sewing machines.