TRAVELLING from Garelochhead to The Gambia may be an unusual journey for most, but it has become a regular jaunt for one ordinary man with an extraordinary tale.

Anthony (Tony) Davidson, originally from Liverpool, frequently visits the village to see his daughter Katy, who lives in Mary Browne Walk, and his grandchildren, who are taught at Garelochhead Primary School.

Last week, the Advertiser reported on the kind-hearted parents and pupils who gifted hundreds of old school uniforms to Africa.

Now, 63-year-old former chef Tony has told how he ended up helping children in need in another continent.

“It’s a long story,” he explained while talking to us from the African country.

“I’ve lived here for 22 years. I came to The Gambia in 1996 and I fell in love with the place.

“I knew I could make a difference. It’s a wonderful feeling.

“I never have a day when I wish I was somewhere else. I don’t miss the weather or the way of life back in the UK. There is crime here, but I have never been attacked or robbed.

“A lot of people tell me they wish they could do what I do, and I say ‘well, why don’t you?’.”

Tony collects donations of old clothes, toys, prams and other baby equipment before shipping the items off to his adopted homeland and dishing out the supplies to impoverished children and families.

And he says there is no better feeling than making a positive impact on so many lives.

He said: “The respect people have for you over here is amazing. They all know my name and every kid wants to shake your hand. It’s called the ‘smiling coast’ for a reason.

“I’ve learned how to dress wounds and look after people in a different way. I’ve helped out at a special needs school as well and finding these places is so rewarding.

“I love what I do and I only do it because people keep donating stuff. I can distribute it as soon as it lands here and everything that is donated is given away. It doesn’t matter whether it’s one item or 100, it makes no difference. It’s a snowball effect and I’m hoping to keep doing it and make it bigger and better.”

Tony says modern technology helps with the challenges of living away from his relatives, but he admits he can’t see his immediate future in anywhere else but The Gambia.

He added: “One pound can keep a child alive for a week here. Some of them have never even had their photos taken, they’ve never seen a white person in their village, eating the way they do and taking part in their activities.

“These people have nothing, but they want to share everything they have with you.

“It’s amazing but it’s difficult to explain unless you’ve been here.”

To keep up with Tony’s progress, follow his Facebook page Have a Gander for Gambia.