Arundel children give poor pupils the sweetest gift

Since September, 11-year-old Arundel CE Primary School pupils Will Simpson and Owen Zarins have been running a fund-raising tuck shop.

They spent hours, three mornings and afternoons every week, running the store, which sold sweets, snacks and lollies to pupils.

And the entrepreneurial youngsters’ efforts have proved a phenomenal success, generating at least £1,307.06 profit which will pay for 130 children to go to school in Mano Dasse, Sierra Leone.

Will, who has won a scholarship to Lancing College, said: “It just feels amazing, really. It feels like nothing has happened but we now know that we have been able to give poor children the chance to go to school, have an education and make a better life for themselves.”

Owen said: “I just feel so proud to have been part of this.”

The boys have given the money to humanitarian charity Education West Africa.

The money will be used to purchase uniforms for the African youngsters, which will allow them to attend school.

The plucky pair’s efforts were inspired by their year-six teacher Donna Jagger, who had previously visited the country.

Mrs Jagger said: “This money will be an incredible help to giving children in Mano Dasse a good chance in life.

“We’re talking about one of the most impoverish countries in the world.”

Will and Owen were helped by businessman Mike Matthews, who is a grandfather of one of the children at their school.

Will said: “Mr Matthews really helped us. We were actually making a loss when we started. But he showed us how to make a profit and a successful business.”

The dedicated duo have now handed over the reins to fellow pupils Morgan Lowe, ten, and Will’s younger brother, Harry, eight.

The school’s head teacher Andrew Simpson – father to Harry and Will – said: “What’s been incredible is that the children have been giving up their own time outside of school and before school.

“They have also learnt practical maths skills, too. They’ve done an incredible job.”