A family is selling mask to fund a charity's appeal which helps people in Madagascar during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mark Jacobs, from Bushey, is the director of the charity SEED Madagascar and has been making masks with his family and volunteers.

Mark said he started this initiative to help fund the production and distribution of face masks for vulnerable people around the world.

According to data from global partnership organisation, World Bank, Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has few health services and has high mortality rates.

Watford Observer:

Mark and his family making masks at their home in Bushey. Credit: SEED Madagascar

Watford Observer:

Masks ready to be redistributed. Credit: SEED Madagascar

Each mask costs £5 and are sold through the charity's website. All funds from the sales then goes towards the charity's Covid-19 appeal.

This appeal will then commission five masks to be made by skilled people in Madagascar.

Mark said: "Helping communities halt the spread of coronavirus is vital.

"We've commissioned more than 7,000 masks so far and we're doing all we can to protect the most vulnerable, but we need more support to build our response.

"It is terrifying to think about what this pandemic will do to Madagascar."

For more information go to www.madagascar.co.uk/mask-exchange.