A FARM machinery sale is helping to raise funds to buy a digger for a community in Tanzania.

Forth Resource Management (FRM) has teamed up with international development charity Vine Trust, which enables volunteers to provide medical, home-building and care support to communities living in severe poverty in the African country and in Peru.

The farm sale, which got under way on Monday and runs until tomorrow (Friday), will see 100 per cent of funds going towards buying a digger to help construct the Kazunzu Village of Hope, which will comprise 40 homes, a vocational training centre, health hub, school and camp site.

The digger will be purchased in memory of Dougie Dale, the uncle of both FRM’s managing director Tommy Dale and assistant manager Jake Boswell.

Dougie was a long-term friend of the Vine Trust’s chief executive, the Rev Willie McPherson, and a supporter of the charity, once helping to sail a boat over the Atlantic that is now used as a mobile medical and dental facility serving remote communities on the Amazon river.

Forth Resource Management, which is based at East Fenton, is calling on people to help raise funds by placing bids on the more than 200 lots lined up for the sale.

There is also a JustGiving page set up if anyone would like to contribute without placing a bid.

The idea for the sale came about when Jack Dale, Tommy’s father and Dougie’s brother, donated a 32-tonne tipper truck to the Vine Trust.

Mr McPherson then mentioned that they also required a digger for building work, so the sale was set up to raise funds for the digger.

The truck will be used to transport the digger, setting off before Christmas on a ferry to Africa.

Tommy said: “We are delighted to be raising money to help the Vine Trust in their hugely worthwhile project of building a new village in Tanzania.

“It is a cause close to my heart, especially with my uncle Dougie’s close connection with the charity.

“We are so grateful for the more than 200 lots donated to the farm sale so far and to those planning to place a bid.

“So far, we have all manner of items and experiences, even a unique tour round Scotland’s only buffalo mozzarella dairy with farmer Steve Mitchell, donated to the sale – every effort helps, so please place a bid and give what you can to help this fantastic cause.”

The sale can be accessed at www.borderlivestock.co.uk or to make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dougiesdigger