Leprosy is widely believed to be the world’s oldest disease and certainly one of the most stigmatised. The World Health Organisation reports there are around a quarter of a million news cases of leprosy diagnosed globally every year and it is still endemic in 30 countries around the world.
Each year The Leprosy Mission collects used stamps to sell to collectors, with the money raised going towards healthcare and education about the disease, which typically hits the poorest people in society living without good sanitation or nutrition.
The One World Centre is once again organising the collection of stamps on the Island over Christmas time on behalf of The Leprosy Mission and the following school and churches have kindly offered to act as collection points:
Schools: Arbory, Ashley Hill, Ballasalla, Ballaugh, Bunscoill, Cronk y Berry, Marown, Onchan, St Johns, Scoill yn Jubilee, Willaston, Ballakermeen, QEII, St Ninians.
Churches: Ballasalla, St Matthews (Douglas), The Cathedral (Peel), Trinity Methodist (Douglas)
You can also send used stamps direct to the One World Centre, Thie Garey Ny Cloie, Foxdale Road, St Johns, Isle of Man IM4 3AS.
The stamps should be cut neatly with at least a 5mm edge around them and they will be collected to send on to The Leprosy Mission at the end of January 2015. Thank you!
