African orphanage helped through Burnham school book sale

A book sale organised by school children in Burnham has raised funds for an African orphanage.

Avid readers at St Peter’s CofE School brought-in books for an exchange that raised £388 for Beautiful Gate in Lesotho, a charity that looks after abandoned, neglected or orphaned children aged five and under. 

Lesotho is a small land-locked country next to South Africa that suffers from extreme levels of poverty and disease.

A high rate of HIV has left a large portion of children parentless with the charity estimates that 18% of the population are orphans.

Since 2001 they have looked after almost 600 children.

When the children at St Peter’s heard this they knew Beautiful Gate Lesotho was their chosen charity to support this school term.

“The children were moved by the work of the orphanage during a talk from a volunteer, Jenny Dobson,” said headteacher Tanya Morris.

“They felt strongly that these children should have lives that reflect those of any other child.

“Through Beautiful Gate Lesotho they are given opportunities to go to school, play with their friends and feel the love missing from their lives. St Peter’s children want to be a part of making this happen.

“The fundraising has kicked off with a fabulous book sale during which hundreds of books changed hands across the school.

“St Peter’s children are avid readers so this event was greeted with great excitement. The children raise a grand total of £388 and are already planning their next event.”

In previous school terms the children at St Peter’s raised £3,799 for Thames Valley Hospice and £144 for the NSPCC.

Donations towards the school’s Beautiful Gate Lesotho fundraiser can be given by contacting the school at: admin@stpeters.bucks.sch.uk