Bucks Charity Celebrates 10th Anniversary

On July 9th, local charity School Aid celebrated its tenth year of helping children in Africa. School Aid supports schools in Africa by sending high quality surplus educational resources donated by British schools directly to eight African countries.

School Aid was founded in 1998 when seven boxes of books were packed and sent from a garage in Amersham to a rural primary school in Zimbabwe. In 2008, School Aid has over sixty volunteers and each year sends an average of ten shipping containers of reading books, textbooks, school stationery, sports equipment, and art and crafts materials to over one hundred African schools and community groups.

The anniversary celebration on the Hall Barn Estate in Beaconsfield was attended by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Mrs. Jenny Hopkirk, the Mayor and Mayoress of High Wycombe, Mr. Paul Lambourne and Mrs. Margaret Lambourne, and the Mayor of Beaconsfield, Mr. Henry Wilson. School Aid’s guests, volunteers, sponsors, and representatives of African partners from South Africa and Zimbabwe were entertained by the St Augustine Primary School choir of High Wycombe singing in Zulu and Swahili accompanied by African drumming.

Lady Baker, Founder and Chairman of School Aid, read out messages of best wishes from the Tanzanian High Commission and School Aid South Africa, and was presented with a commemorative collection of photographs celebrating School Aid’s ten years. Piers Douglas, age nine, was presented with an award for raising over £1,000 on a 49 mile sponsored cycle ride for School Aid South African sports projects.

For more information on donating to School Aid or on volunteering opportunities please visit the School Aid website at www.school-aid.org or call the office on 01753 883853.