Tools belonging to Chatsworth Estates, including a bulb planter owned and used by the late Duke of Devonshire, have been given to a Church-run Appeal that collects unwanted tools for developing countries and Derbyshire conservation charities.

The Appeal, launched in June by the Church of England's Diocese of Derby, seeks good quality second-hand unwanted tools for refurbishment. Once refurbished and assembled into kits, some tools will be shipped to workers in Africa by one of the Appeal beneficiaries, Tools for Self Reliance. Gardening and power-operated tools will be sent to the mental health and conservation charity The Derbyshire Green Health Partnership.

A wheelbarrow full of tools was presented to the Chairman of the Appeal, the Rev'd Canon Donald Macdonald, by Chatsworth Estates Controller John Oliver.

The Rev'd Canon Donald Macdonald said: "We are enormously grateful for the generosity of the Duchess and her staff and we are certain the tools they have donated will be put to very good use. They are all in excellent condition which helps us make savings on refurbishing."

Chatsworth Estates has also pledged a stand at its Country Fair on September 4th and 5th for the Appeal, at which a visiting blacksmith from Tanzania will demonstrate a working African forge.

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Notes to editors:

Full details of the Appeal, its partners and beneficiaries are available here.

List of participating and supporting organisations and individuals:-

• The Rt Rev'd Jonathan Bailey, Bishop of Derby - is a patron of the project and offers his full commendation
• The Silk Mill - Derby's Museum of Industry and History - Hosted the launch event and exhibition and will also act as a collection centre
• Derbyshire County Council - Endorsement from Chief Executive Nick Hodgson
• Derby City Council Mayor's Office - Endorsement from the Mayor and assistance with distribution of publicity material
• Chatsworth Estates - The Estate has donated a 20ft stall free of charge at Chatsworth Country Fair on Sept 4/5.
• Rolls Royce plc - providing printing support for publicity and providing space at its site for tools sorting
• Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service - Offering six of their stations as collection centres
• Sainsbury's (The Wyvern Retail Park, Derby) - Involved as a collection centre
• Laser Rail Ltd, Matlock - Involved as a collection centre
• Lester Lowe Ltd, Ashbourne - Involved as a collection centre
• Mercia Rotary - Providing transport for the tools from the collection points to the sorting area, and helping with the sorting and making of crates for tool kits.