TOMORROW Saturday, July 9, 24 students from Tiverton High School and four teaching staff will be travelling to Kenya with African Adventures to volunteer at local schools, to help with teaching and the building of secure classrooms.

One of the students, Renée Harvey (16), approached the Tiverton and Crediton Morrisons Community Champion, Mandy Fosbrooke, to ask for some items which the students could take with them.

Mandy was able to support Renée with a range of items including bras and pants for girls, sanitary products, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, boxes of chalk, frisbees, washing up liquid and bubble wands plus some other items.

Renée explained: “The trip has been delayed by 12 months due to Covid.

“I had to do lots of fundraising, £2,500, to fund the trip and I am now ready.

“I will be volunteering at schools, working with two to 10-year-olds.

“I feel it is my chance to give back to children who have nothing.

“I will be teaching in classrooms and helping build secure perimeter fences and future classrooms.

“It’s nice to feel as if you are making a difference and leaving things behind.

“I am humbled to have this opportunity as a lot of students had applied and I am grateful to my family for supporting me.

“I really am grateful to Morrisons for helping with their charitable donations.

“I find it very sad that girls have to miss out on education due to lack of sanitary products and underwear.

“They are also at higher risk of sexual assault due to the lack of bras/crop tops and pants.”

On top of the trip, the injections required cost Renée’s family £250.

On the return journey, after the voluntary work section, the children will go on a safari in the country.