A Harleston business has raised £3,000 to fund a bore well in India

This is not the first well that Cornucopia – an antiques and vintage centre in Exchange Street – has sponsored.

Opened in 2012 by David Charles and Glen Philpott, the award-winning business was chosen to sponsor the town’s Christmas tree in 2016.

But when another firm stepped in as sponsor the following year, the business decided to look further afield and help bring fresh water to the Indian village of Lingamparthi.

Through the sale of items donated by customers and traders, as well as monetary donations, a second well has been dug and is now in operation.

Again in India, this bore was built in the Yeleswaram area.

The inspiration behind the cause was co-owner Mr Charles’ grandmother.

“My nan, who lived in Australia, died and she said in her will that she wanted to have a well dug in India,” said the 56-year-old.

Cornucopia, which means horn of plenty, has teamed up with BareFoot Ministries, an Australian-based Christian charity, to bring clean drinking water to an Indian community, which includes an orphanage.

“We take for granted having clean drinking water readily available, but others are not as fortunate,” he said.

“I believe this is a brilliant and worthy cause, which is why we are planning to sponsor a third one by the end of the year.”.

The owners have not yet had the chance to see the first well in person.

But BareFoot Ministries told them that the digging of the first and second bore well, which cost £3,000, was a success.

The money for the third one will be raised in a similar way as for the previous one.

“It is nice to see the wells accompanied by plaques all around India with Harleston’s name on them,” said Mr Charles.