Ivan Romero-Martinez, will visit the Derby-based Children of Honduras Trust, to see the charity’s volunteers load up shipping containers with vital aid.

He will be a special guest on the loading day at the charity’s operational site at TDG Logistics in West Hallam, along with the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Barbara Harrison.

The charity has been sending essential supplies to Honduras, in Central America, for 35 years. The charity was started in 1974 by Jennifer Cox who sent a small parcel of urgent supplies to a friend from Derby who had gone to work as a midwife in the slums of the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa.

Since then the amount of aid sent has grown and for the fourth successive year the charity will fill four 40ft long high-cube shipping containers.

The consignment will include the largest ever amount of food, including three tonnes of full cream milk powder, four tonnes of oats, four tonnes of rice, two tonnes of pasta, and almost four tonnes of flour to help a growing number of feeding centres in the poorest areas and schools in remote mountain villages.

Jennifer said: “The reason why we are sending so much flour – three times the normal amount – is because America has bought locally-grown corn for biofuel which causes a shortage and forces prices to rise so that people cannot buy grain to make tortillas, their staple diet.”

A record number of almost 300 large blue plastic barrels are being sent, which will be used for collecting and storing rainwater for domestic use. These will be packed solid with essential items. Three other large containers for holding water will also be sent.

Wirksworth Rotary Club has given filter and purification sets in each to provide clean water.

Other items that will be despatched include clothes and shoes, toiletries, education supplies and toys which, like the food, will be distributed to more than 8,000 children and their families through schools, colleges and churches in some 30 locations.

Medical supplies will also be delivered to a number of hospitals and clinics. The charity said hospitals were so overwhelmed with last year’s aid that they were featured on Honduran television.

Aid is given by individuals, companies, churches and other organisations throughout the UK and delivered to West Hallam, where it has been processed and packed ready for loading.

Jennifer added: “Once again we have been overwhelmed by generous donations from people and organisations across the country and the enthusiasm, dedication and time given by volunteers to process and load the containers.

“We are honoured to have the ambassador and the Mayor of Erewash join us for this special anniversary.”

Mr Romero-Martinez said: “I have read and heard about the Children of Honduras Trust and the kindness of people across the United Kingdom who help the youngsters of my country.

“I am delighted to be able to visit the charity on loading day to thank volunteers for their work and to join in marking the 35th year of sending this much-appreciated aid.”