Arundel children sell their toys for friends in distant land

More than a dozen year-four pupils from Arundel CE Primary School, in Jarvis Road, donated some of their much-loved Christmas toys, all to help support children in the Mano Dasse district of Sierra Leone.

The thoughtful notion was dreamt up by year-four pupil, Jessica Solti, after she was inspired by school worship morning with the Rt Rev. David Farrer, vicar of St Nicolas’ Church, in London Road.

A kind-hearted Jess took the lead of the fund-raising idea and rallied the rest of her classmates to join the cause, raising more than £60 for the charity, Education West Africa, which the school is helping to support.

Head teacher Andrew Simpson, who was astounded by the children’s generosity and charitable spirit, said: “All the pupils have been a credit to the school.

“It was Jess who initially thought of doing a cake sale but changed her mind after hearing a talk by Father David during an assembly about the importance of not always wanting things and sharing with others.”