Proceeds from the Portishead Easter trail have funded books and pencils for children in a poor area of Kenya.
Local retailer, Tanya Marriott, who runs SoleLution shoe shops in Portishead and Clifton, made her second journey of the year to the Jolaurabi School near Mombasa, Kenya, to help fit good as new shoes, donated by her customers, to under privileged children. She took with her the money raised by this year's Easter trail, a family treasure hunt style competition that Tanya organised in Portishead High Street, to purchase stationery and school books for the students.
Tanya and her family and friends have been supporting students at the school since she first made links with a charity called Educate The Kids in 2017.
Tanya said: "Education could be the step up these children need, to help them escape from poverty and have hope for their future, I am keen to continue to rally support for them."
Big Sing
Each year, thanks to Educate The Kids, a choir from the Jolaurabi School tours the UK raising funds to support the school. The choir visited Portishead for the first time in 2018, singing and dancing their way into the public's hearts at a sell out concert which has raised thousands of pounds.
Tanya added: "It was an amazing day and a very emotional one. The children are so happy and positive, I just knew after last year's success that I had to invite them to return again this year.
On Monday September 30, as part of their 'Wonderful Tour', the Singing Children of Africa will return to Portishead to perform, alongside youth choir, Generation Vibe.
Following a Big Sing, involving singers from all of Portishead primary schools and Gordano School, during the day, there will be an evening concert open to the public, at Gordano School, 6.30-8.30pm.
Tanya said: "This concert is about bringing the communities of Portishead and the Jolaurabi School together and promoting the importance of enabling our children to believe they can be who they want to be. All proceeds from the event will go to Educate the Kids, which is a charity that is all about giving the poorest children in the six villages the Jolaurabi School supports, the opportunity of hand up through education rather than a hand out."
Tickets for The Singing Children of Africa concert cost £10 for adults, £5 for children or £25 for a family of four. They are available from SoleLution at 62 High Street, Portishead (cash only) or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/portishead-wonderful
There is also a shoe collection point in-store at the SoleLution shops and for each pair of school shoes in wearable condition that are given in to the shop, SoleLution gives a £1 voucher towards a new pair of school shoes purchased at the shop. n
Find out more about Educate The Kids at www.educatethekids.com
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