A CHARITY is calling for Dorset pupils to donate their old school bags to children in Malawi.

Global school feeding charity Mary’s Meals is encouraging families in Dorset to ‘buddy up’ for the latest drive of its Backpack Project to help hungry children in Africa.

The old school bags can be recycled and filled with useful educational items, including pencils and notepads, or other essentials like clothing, soap and toothpaste.

Donated backpacks are then sent to Malawi to help children receiving a daily meal in school from Mary’s Meals get the most out of their learning. Many of these children do not have basic items for school, such as pencils and notepads, and the backpacks are often the only gift they have ever received.

Since the project began in 2002, more than 500,000 of these school bags have been donated by people across the UK.

Head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, Emma Hutton, said: “It is wonderful to see the immense joy which these bags bring to every child who receives one. This is an exciting project for families in Dorset to get involved in over the summer months."

People interested in donating backpacks can call 0800 698 1212.