THREE brothers from Hereford enjoyed helping to load a 20-ton container with medical supplies for a hospital in Africa.

And they were happier still when they found themselves at the Muheza Hospital in Tanzania three months later and were able to help unload it.

The boys, Sam Scotcher, aged 16, and his brothers Charlie 13, and Tom, 10, all pupils at Hereford Cathedral School were on a month's holiday in Tanzania with their parents and spent a week at the hospital, which has close ties with Hereford.

Their father Stephen Scotcher, an eye surgeon at the County Hospital and their mother Dr Clare Scotcher, a local GP and doctor at St Michael's Hospice, have long supported the 20-year link between the Hereford hospital and the one in Tanzania.

Many containers from Herefordshire have made the long journey across the world, packed with much-needed supplies for their friends inMuheza.

The Scotcher family helped load a container from a storage warehouse in Leominster and, when they planned their trip to Tanzania, made sure they would be there to see what had survived the journey and to help distribute it in the hospital.

For Clare it was a nostalgic return to the Muheza Hospital. She spent a gap year there more than 20 years ago.

During their week's stay, she helped in the hospice which has developed out of all recognition under the supervision of another Herefordshire couple, Caroline and Richard Collins.

And eye surgeon Stephen gave help in the eye clinic where a Tanzanian ophthalmologist dealt with 87 patients in one day.

He said all the goods sent from Herefordshire are well received, including blankets and sheets, disposable goods and dental equipment.

"This is a really good example of direct and practical giving. There is no middle- man. It was a huge privilege for us to be there and to see the enthusiasm with which the supplies are received,'' said Clare.

While their parents worked, Sam, Charlie and Tom helped with unpacking and distributing the goods, with Sam helping to repair wheelchairs and setting up a well-travelled ECG machine.

"They thoroughly enjoyed the experience and picked up snippets of Swahiali but it was certainly an eye-opener for them,'' said their father.

The family were back at the Leominster storage depot again just before Christmas to help load up another container, now on its way to Muheza - and there is enough still there for yet another load.

There is a regular exchange of staff between the Hereford and Muheza hospitals and one of the most regular travellers is plumber Arthur Radnor who has made at least 13 trips, the latest to help set up dental equipment.

One of the main founder members of the Hereford-Muheza link is former County Hospital consultant Dr John Wood. He is always on the look out for people to help with packing and loading the much-needed supplies. With another one in the offing, calls to him on 01432 850432 will be welcome.