PUPILS from a West Devon primary school have collected used items from around their homes to donate to children in Africa.

Youngsters from Mary Tavy and Brentor Primary School collected between 18 and 20 backpacks full of items — as well as an extra box of goodies — as part of the BackPack Project. The project sends bags full of school equipment, clothes and shoes to children in Malawi so they can attend school and receive an education.

In the summer, the school took part in the Send My Friend to School campaign. Pupils coloured in pictures and sent messages to governments around the world, reminding them of their promise to provide primary education for every child.

Following on from the campaign, this term, youngsters took part in the BackPack Project and recycled their old school bags and equipment.

This included notebooks, pencils, pens, rulers, pencil case, towels, shorts, T-shirts, skirts or dresses, flip flops, sandals, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and spoons.

A staff member at the school said: ‘It is a great way to recycle. For most of the children in Malawi, a backpack will be the first gift they have ever received.’

The project was established by a charity called Mary’s Meals which aims to provide one good daily meal for children in their place of education.

Upon starting the charity, Mary’s Meals realised that many children receiving the daily meal did not have the basic learning tools such as pencils and notepads which is how the BackPack Project began.

For more information on the charity visit the website www.marysmeals.org