Aid to Africa (From Echo)

Aid to Africa

12:00pm Saturday 27th September 2008 in Furtherwick Park School

STAFF and pupils at a school have raised £500 to help provide eye care in Africa.

Chris Hayes, headteacher at Furtherwick Park school, Canvey, handed over the money, which has been generated through a series of fundraising events throughout the year, to Canvey Rotary club chairman Jim Robbins.

The Rotary club were responsible for organising the campaign, which has been supported by schools across Canvey, to help two charities, Sight Savers and Vision Aid Overseas.

In total, infant and junior schools on the island collected more than 2,000 pairs of glasses for the charities, which care for the blind and those with sight problems in more than 30 poor countries in Africa.

Canvey’s three senior schools raised more than £1,000.

Mr Robbins said “I am overwhelmed by the support given to our club by the schools on Canvey.

“Everyone played their part in making this project the success that it has been.

“The money will be split equally between the charities.”