A FINAL push to dispatch help to Malawi has been described as a miracle by organisers.
Hugh and Anne Buttenshaw, of Sea Lawn Terrace, Dawlish, began links with Malawi aids orphanage Kondanani in 2000.
With neighbours Gerry and Val Belcher, the couple have been collecting supplies to send to the orphanage but efforts to ship the cargo kept falling through.
The intervention of television channel God TV saved the day.
Mrs Buttenshaw said: 'ACE Cleaning of Dawlish offered storage space but transport ideas fell through until TV channel God TV got involved and managed to find a shipping company who could take the cargo.'
Four hundred boxes of clothing, cots, medical supplies, material and uniforms was loaded on to a container stationed at St Agatha's Church car park on Thursday.
Word of mouth travelled fast and willing volunteers arrived to help with the loading and packing.
The ship will sail on Monday.
'There is a sense of achievement and relief that the aid is going where it is supposed to go.
'Somehow God worked it out.' said Mrs Buttenshaw.
With two million orphans of an overall population of 12 million, the need for aid is great.
'We saw the need out there, there were 100 nappies on the line, some so old that they were almost shredded.
'They are lovely kids and they are desperately trying to make a high standard.
'God TV will make a film about the orphanage and the arrival of the aid will feature in the programme.'
Mrs Buttenshaw added: 'The orphanage is hoping to expand into outreach programmes for poorer communities.
'They can teach mothers about nutrition and will be able to distribute clothing where it is needed. They really do marvellous work,' she said.