A charity which has worked to help people in developing countries for nearly three decades is to close. Christine Fleming reports on the legacy it leaves

Moving on is never easy - especially when it involves saying goodbye to something that has been part of your life for many years.

But after nearly 30 years of helping projects abroad, and more than £45,000 fundraising, the members of Barnes One World Link (Bowl) have decided it is time to call it quits.

Founder Bridget Andrews said: "It has inspired people around here and we are finding it hard to finally give up.

"It seems a pity to just give up totally but we will keep in touch anyway and you never know what may happen - a few of us may even join another charitable organisation."

For the past 28 years Bowl has prided itself on supporting communities in developing countries, giving not just financial support but cultivating friendships with the people it helps.

Set up in 1982 by Mrs Andrews, of Beverley Gardens, Barnes, the idea behind helping projects in the likes of India, Africa, and Zimbabwe, stemmed from coming face to face with India's rich-poor divide.

She said: "The idea first came to me on a visit to India and seeing the degree of poverty.

"India was much more poor in those days than now. I don't think you can go without being struck by poverty but also the great dignity and resilience of the people - I felt struck by it - and then you sort of realise how well off you are.

"I felt powerless to help in a constructive way so I said I would do something when I got back to Britain rather than giving out a few pennies.”

However, having been key in the initial setting up of Bowl, the 77-year-old insists she has mostly taken a backseat role and its success has been down to dedicated members and committed chairpeople over the years.

The charity has helped numerous projects abroad, with many members funding their own flights to areas in need.

Mary Holmes, 68, a former chairwoman, described visiting some of the projects - which aim to help people become self-reliant - as inspirational.

She said: "I was very fortunate in having visited at my own expense some of the projects - it was just amazing.

"When sending money I knew the people it was going to and saw how different their life was."

The aim for members has been to give people what they want or need not what the west might assume they need.

Fundraising has included everything from quiz nights and theatre trips, to an annual stall at Barnes fair, and the philosophy has always been: “If we really want to live in one world we have to get to know our neighbours and learn to share their hopes and problems.”

In its 28 years the charity has raised a total of £45,000, with £2,290 of that total going to the very first project - the East Sheen Chenganneur Trust, which helps the poor in India and Africa with housing, education and financial support.

Other key projects for the group have been a Filipino charity for the disabled, The House with No Steps, and North India-based organisation, Action Village India, which deals with issues as diverse as education and women’s rights.

Mrs Andrews said: “[Being part of Bowl] has made the world seem very small and the problems very real.

“You so often feel powerless and world projects seem too big but if you take on small areas you can do something."

Bowl had its official winding down party in April and stopped work as a charity last month. Members of Bowl will continue to meet socially and donate money to projects they have worked on over the years.

For more information visit bowl.org.uk