A SCHOOL is hoping to raise more than £3,000 for African children with a forthcoming race night.

Last year Acklam Grange School, in Middlesbrough, raised that amount for its own charity the Meserani Project, which helps to educate almost two hundred youngsters in Tanzania.

This year it hopes to raise even more for the project with a race night on Friday.

Since it was established, the charity has built ten classrooms in the Meserani District of Tanzania. Pupils from Acklam Grange travel to the village every other year to see the impact their charity makes and witness first-hand the difference education makes to the lives of people there.

Lisa Connor, head of creative arts at Acklam Grange, said: "A lot of hard work and effort goes into organising these events and it’s important that they are as successful as possible.

"Unlike some other charities, every single penny of the money raised for the Meserani Project goes directly to supporting its work in Tanzania – there are no expenses at all taken out of donations and fundraising events.

“Last year, we had more than 150 people come along to the race night and we managed to raise more than £3,000.

The race night is being supported by Boro Taxis, which has sponsored five of the races and donated £250 towards the charity.

Christine Bell, company secretary at Boro Taxis, said: "The pupils of Acklam Grange have shown great spirit and tenacity by organising the race night, not to mention running their own charity, so we’re happy to help them make it a success.”

Acklam Grange’s Annual Race Night takes place in the Main Hall at Acklam Grange School on Friday 8 July at 7pm. Entry is £4 for adults and £3 for under-16s. To book tickets email meserani@hotmail.co.uk