Student appeals for ‘Shoes for School’

Adele Paisey-Bruce, 17, is encouraging people in Plymouth to donate pairs of shoes to help children in Gambia go to school.

The City College student was inspired to start this project after visiting a small village in Gambia in February this year as part of a Duke of Edinburgh Award residential trip.

Adele said: “When I was in Bissary Village in Gambia, I taught in the school and helped in the hospital, which is only open when groups like ours go out there. I also helped build houses and organised a school bag with the right books for each child.

“It was an amazing experience, but I was shocked to discover that many of the children would be sent home from school because they don't own shoes which cover their feet. As they are unable to afford to buy shoes, it is a real barrier to education.

“So I decided to set up the ‘shoes for schools’ project - collecting shoes for each child in Bissary village to ensure that they can go to school and get the education they want and need.

“I’ve been really touched by the number of people who have already donated, but every pair of shoes will make such a difference in these children’s lives. I am determined to get as many pairs as possible, because I know how much it will mean to them.”

The last collection of shoes, from child to adult sizes, is on Friday 13 November. Shoes which cover the toes and trainers are most needed and can be donated at the collection point by Costa at City College Plymouth’s Goschen Centre throughout the week.

Find out more about the charity and fundraising activities students can get involved in at City College’s FREE drop-in information evening on Wednesday 25 November, 4.00pm to 6.00pm, at Kings Road. To find out more, please visit cityplym.ac.uk/events or call 01752 305300.