Published: Friday, 20th November, 2009 5:22pm

Cash to start new chapter

by Rose Harland

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PUPILS hope that others will take a leaf out of their book and pledge their support to good causes.

Busy students at Meadow Vale Primary School in Priestwood have not only donated books to a school library in Africa but have also helped a host of other projects.

The books were given to the Coins Foundation, which supports sustainable inclusion projects around the world, including a school for 220 orphans and vulnerable children aged up to 11 in Kawama in northern Zambia.

Headteacher Nigel Duncan said: "We are very proud to support such a worthy cause and the response from our school community has been fantastic. We know there are plans to install modern technology in the classrooms in the future and we very much hope that the two schools can build a partnership through the internet where children on both sides of the world can learn more about each others' cultures." Ric Law, chief executive of Coins, who visited the school in Moordale Avenue to thank the children, said: "It is wonderful to think that young people thousands of miles away can relate to their peers in a different country and different culture. It was really touching."

The school has also raised £640 on its latest Jeans For Genes day supporting research into genetic disorders and gathered together shoeboxes to be given to children in poorer countries through Operation Christmas Child.

Pupils have also collected stamps to raise money for St Thomas' Hospital Lupus Trust, which researches lupus, an illness affecting the immune system.