Pupils at a local primary school are fundraising to ‘make a difference’ to the lives of children in Gambia.
Year 6 pupils at St Thomas’ Catholic Voluntary Academy in Ilkeston are raising money to buy desks and chairs for classrooms at Sir Dembo School.
The fundraising drive was launched in line with a pledge that Year 6 pupils took, which was linked to children’s rights and responsibilities, particularly the right to an education.
St Thomas’ pupils wrote to pupils at Sir Dembo, telling them about their lives, hobbies, families and what they do at school.
Daniel Conlon, Year 6 teacher, said the pupils were thrilled when they received replies from pupils at Sir Dembo.
He said: “We watched a video of the children receiving our letters and our pupils couldn’t believe it. Some of them could spot their own letters on the video and it really brought everything to life for them.
St Thomas pupil Willow, 11, said: “What the children at Sir Dembo sit on now at school doesn’t look very comfortable so that’s why we decided to fundraise for some new desks and chairs. Hopefully we can make it happen and make a difference. It makes us realise how fortunate we are to have everything that we have.”
The children are planning cake sales as a starter to help them raise money.
More in the June Ilkeston Life newspaper.
