Red jumpers knit schools together

A GROUP of Portishead teenagers made a delivery of red jumpers to schoolchildren in Kenya.

Sixth formers at Gordano School visited Bochoroke in western Kenya with charity Mend the Gap, along with Clevedon School pupils, teaching in schools, working in an orphanage and hospital, as well as gaining experience with environmental organisations.

The students had collected the jumpers, knitted by volunteers at Gordano School and in the wider community, to provide school uniform for children in Bochoroke.

Head of sixth form, Jeanne Fairs, said: “While the red jumpers were only one part of our sixth form connection to Mend the Gap, they seemed to become a metaphor for the charity’s work, which is to build bridges in any community – through generational, educational and economic gaps.

“We arrived with rucksacks bulging with donations of equipment for our twinned schools and 120 jumpers. We would like thank everyone who supported us with this knitting project.”

Gordano is now appealing for knitters to come forward again to provide navy blue V-neck jumpers for children aged six to 11 at a school in the neighbouring village of Girango.

A presentation evening about the Mend the Gap project will take place in the sixth form lecture theatre at Gordano School in St Marys Road on October 9 at 7pm. Any keen knitters can go along to find out more but seats must be booked in advance by emailing jfairs@gordanoschool.org.uk

Jumper donations can be made via the school office.