CHILDREN from Okehampton and Chagford schools are helping a charity to save gorillas and chimpanzees from extinction by sending shoe-boxes of supplies from nappies to toys to West Africa.

The children are teaming up with volunteer Gemma O' Connor from Chagford who is about to embark on a six-month trip working with the Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund (CWAF).

The CWAF, which is working to protect wildlife throughout the Cameroon, needs all sorts of equipment and the two schools are busy filling shoe-boxes with items for baby gorilla or chimpanzees.

Gemma, a BSc graduate, said these animals were under threat from habitat destruction and hunting.

'Adult gorillas and chimpanzees are poached for meat, whilst the babies, which have no meat value, are sold to the pet trade or illegally exported,' she said.

'These activities are whittling away at the remaining populations making them one of the world's most endangered species.'

Gemma said she had approached the schools because she felt the children could help with some of the things that the charity wanted such as toys.

'Children's toys or toys that you buy for your dog that make a noise are good for gorillas and chimpanzees,' she said. 'Their requirements are so similar to humans and that is why I felt a shoe-box appeal would be good.'

Gemma said the appeal also gave her a chance to do something for CWAF before she went out to the Cameroon at the end of July.

Milk bottles, teats and teething rings are among the items in demand.

Haulage company DHL have offered to deliver the shoe-boxes to the Cameroon free of charge.

Every year, 800 gorillas are killed and it is estimated they will be extinct in 10 years' time. Because of the Bush meat trade, CWAF in conjunction with Bristol Zoo, is rescuing orphaned primates with the aim of releasing them into the wild.

Gemma first worked with primates when she spent a month in Ghana in December with members of the RSPB and regards gorillas and chimpanzees as 'special' animals.

The children are hoping to follow Gemma's work by computer with e-mails and video footage.

Anyone who is willing to help sponsor a digital camera and lap-top computer so Gemma can keep in touch with pupils of Okehampton and Chagford schools is asked to contact her on 01647 433372.

Headteacher of Chagford Primary School Graham Reynolds said Gemma was a past pupil and when she contacted him he was only too pleased for the children to support her appeal.

She gave a presentation to both schools last Wednesday and Mr Reynolds said such was the response from the pupils that the next day three shoe-boxes had already been filled.