A NORTH-East care home company has donated £36,000 to help build a school in Uganda.

Helen McArdle Care, which runs care homes in Durham, Hartlepool and Redcar, has invested the money through Build Africa, a charity which helps young people in Uganda and Kenya.

The school, in Kimogora, Masindi, opened this Autumn.

Rachel McArdle, customer relations manager at Helen McArdle Care, said: "As a businesswoman from the North-East, my mother (Helen McArdle) is very involved with supporting local causes, however when the opportunity arose to sponsor a new school that would open up opportunities for young children in Africa she was keen to offer her support."

James Gambril, from Build Africa, said: "This valuable support from Helen McArdle Care has enabled us to start the transformation of Kimogora by helping the community to construct new classrooms and latrines, providing a safe and clean learning environment."