STUDENTS at Forest Park Preparatory, Oakfield, Sale, made their last week of school before the summer holidays a memorable one, by donating their old school shoes to charity.

More than 500 pairs were collected over the final week, and given to Sal's Shoes, an organisation who redistribute children’s shoes, trainers and football boots to school-aged children in Africa and across the UK.

A talk was given in one of the school's assemblies about the charity's work, and the children were eager to get involved.

As many as 300 million children worldwide cannot afford school shoes, and some walk barefoot to get to school every day, risking illness and injury to their feet and ankles. Some children are not allowed to attend school without shoes.

When asked one of the parents said: “It seems such a simple idea, particularly at the end of the term when we’ll be getting new shoes ready for the start of the new school year in September. I’m just glad that the shoes can go to such a worthy cause and make a difference to another child.”

For more information visit: http://www.salsshoes.com/our-story/

Jessica Ferris, the chair of the PTA, and who organised this initiative, said: “The children at Forest Park Prep are so lucky to come to such a lovely school and have all the resources that affords them, but when the kids heard about some children trekking across rock, mud, broken glass and stone without shoes just to get to go to school, I think they realised how lucky they are and immediately wanted to help.

"We’re very proud of all the children who genuinely seemed to enjoy giving their possessions to another who certainly needs it more. Sal’s Shoes is a fabulous charity and I’d urge more people to get in touch with them to see how they can be helped.”