PUPILS at a South Lakeland primary school have been packing up stationery to make sure African street children can afford an education.

Youngsters at Beetham CE Primary School have stuffed rucksacks full of pens, pencils and crayons for 25 children in Nairobi, Kenya.

Head teacher Rosalind Denby explained that the school had sent Christmas presents to the same children for a number of years through a project called Kids to Kids, which was founded by the brother of Beetham teacher Gillian Slater.

"This time we had a request to send out rucksacks and stationery because the children are starting secondary school. Because they have to buy everything for themselves, these children who have nothing just wouldn't have the equipment otherwise."

The school invested in 25 rucksacks, getting two free and the rest at cost price from Bob Parratt Country Wear in Milnthorpe, using money donated from the Westmorland Step and Garland Dancers.

Beetham pupils then took a rucksack home and stuffed it with handy stationery. The packs are now being sent to Kenya along with a cheque to buy the children exercise books.

The Beetham youngsters are now looking forward to hearing from their African pals who send them emails.

"We have talked about giving to charity but sometimes you can't see the difference you are making," said Mrs Denby. "But they can see what difference this is making to individual children who are not as fortunate as themselves."