A DEDICATED couple who have been supporting disadvantaged children in Fiji for nearly 20 years are continuing their mission to make a difference.

Peter and Margaret Long, who live in Cattistock, have devoted a huge portion of their lives to help transform the lifestyle of children living in Fiji.

The couple are now working to raise funds to provide a robust portable EEG machine that will be based in the children's department of the main hospital in the capital of Suva.

However, by being portable it will mean that the trained medical staff can carry out clinics on the more remote islands without the need for patients to travel to Suva.

Peter and Margaret explained that the transport from the remote islands is often very unreliable and expensive and beyond the means of many people.

Margaret said: "I met a friend from Fiji whilst I was in University. We lost contact over the years and were eventually reunited. She said she was then helping children in Fiji and that we should travel over. We had both just finished our teaching jobs so we flew over - it was meant to be a one-off visit. But it came clear to us that there were so many things - just small things - that we take for granted and so many children were struggling with day-to-day life.

"We couldn't do nothing so we ended up setting up a charity and here we are. We visit about twice a year and fund our trips by marking exams - all the money from the charity goes to the children."

Over the years the couple have organised countless projects including building kindergartens and a library.

Their most ambitious project to date was to fund the construction of a vehicular bridge across the river at Qelemumu Primary School on the island of Vanua Levu.

Previously, children had to wade through a very dangerous river to get to school. In the rainy season the river became too high to cross and the children sometimes missed weeks of school. Several children had drowned.

The children now have a safe crossing and can even get to secondary school in Labasa by truck.

In 2015 Peter and Margaret were both awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and the Order of Fiji.

They are currently working closely with the medial staff in the neurophysiology department in the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

There are approximately 9,000 suffers in Fiji but a lot of those people are undiagnosed and struggling to live with the condition.

The couple need to raise about £16,000 for the machine - so far more than £11,000 has been raised.

For more information or to donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/Epilepsy or childrenoffiji.co.uk or call Peter and Margaret on 01300 320433.

CONTACT ME: t: 01305 830985 e: meghan.hindley @dorsetecho.co.uk twitter: @DorsetEchoMeg