PUPILS at an African school have thanked the fundraising efforts of Colchester students which enabled them to receive new uniforms.

Pupils, parents and staff at St Mary’s School, in Lexden Road, Colchester, raised more than £3,500 to help fund 500 new uniforms for students at Good Hope Primary School in Namibia.

The pupils, aged four to 11, at the Namibian school now proudly wear their uniforms as part of the Catherine Bullen Foundation’s work alongside the Lexden Road school.

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“Students at St Mary’s are keen to be involved in their communities and to give their support to charities,” said Anwen Jones, head teacher of St Mary’s.

“Several thousand pounds in donations are raised every year by St Mary’s families.

“We are delighted to support the Catherine Bullen Foundation and the amazing humanitarian projects they co-ordinate to help the relief of poverty, sickness and distress and to preserve health and education in rural Namibia.”