PUPILS from Black Torrington packed their bags to provide equipment for children from the more deprived areas in Africa and refugees.

In the last school year pupils from Black Torrington, together with Holsworthy Rotary Club events and other primary schools in the area, have been raising money towards the Rotary charity, ‘School in a bag’, to provide educational materials for children in deprived parts of Africa and, more recently, in refugee camps.

The children at Black Torrington have raised money by running a tuck shop, running stalls at village events and succeeded in reaching their target of funding a bag from each pupil.

Lis Foy, from the charity, came and gave a presentation to the pupils, explaining what went into the bags and why they were so important for children who are desperate to learn but have limited or no resources.

The pupils were able to pack a bag each with exercise books, pencils, crayons, a ruler and a maths set.

It also included a plastic lunchbox and a water bottle.

A unique number is issued for each bag, enabling the children, and the school, to track where each bag goes and, possibly, get in contact with the recipient.

Organised in this area by Richard Tappin and Phil Sluggett on behalf of Holsworthy Rotary Club’s International Committee, the charity was presented with a cheque for £1,500.

Richard congratulated the school for their ‘phenomenal’ fund raising and thanked pupils and staff for their efforts and support.