A SCHOOL'S headteacher last night praised pupils for working hard to help less fortunate youngsters in Africa.

Pupils at Redcar Community College raised £800 through various sponsorship events to help school children in Uganda. The local Round Table was so impressed it made the money up to £1,000.

And that is the size of the cheque going out to Uganda via the New Beginnings for Children charity, which is involved in projects in that country.

College principal Gary Hanrahan said: "I am very proud of them. They generated this themselves."

The college received a visit last year from a group of Ugandan children who marvelled at the school's computers and overall facilities when they struggle to buy enough text books.

The Redcar school has special performing and visual arts status and their Ugandan visitors introduced them to African music and drama.

The Redcar Community College also has an active, good citizenship programme.

Mr Hanrahan said: "Children from our year seven decided they would like to raise some money to help the school in Uganda.

"They said we feel fortunate that we have all these facilities at our school when they have next to nothing."