A team of firemen and Rotarians from west Wales are bringing help to children in schools in Africa.

Instead of being scrapped, two redundant fire engines carrying coils of water pipe are being sent to Kenya to help improve the water supply for 700 children and their families.

The project has been supported by donations of equipment from companies in south and west Wales and funding from the Rotary Clubs of Fishguard, Pembroke and Narberth and Whitland.

The two engines left Swansea a few weeks ago on its 4,500 mile journey to Mombassa. Once in Kenya, they will be met by teams of volunteers who have flown out especially to drive the gruelling 600 mile trip to Maralal in the Samburu district of northern Kenya, where they will train local operators in the use and maintenance of the vehicles and equipment.

The fire engines will form a vital part of the project to restore water supplies to five schools in that area. They will act as emergency water pumps and carriers and have been equipped to act as mobile workshops to maintain water supplies.

Among the volunteers is retained Narberth fireman, Martyn Perkins, who will fly to Nairobi to meet his colleagues before embarking on the difficult journey through Kenya.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to help a group of people who are desperately in need of water," said 35-year-old Martyn, who is taking three weeks' holiday to go on the trip.

"I am very grateful to the local Rotary Club for its support."

Members of the Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland were so impressed by the project, they paid for Martyn's flight to Kenya.