Teachers give lesson in Christmas charity

Principal Teachers, a supply teacher agency in Reeth, North Yorkshire, decided to help the Friends of Mettupalayam charity rather than spend hundreds of pounds on postage, presents and cards.

The money will pay for school dinners for pupils at rural primary schools in Tamil Nadu, southern India.

The Friends charity was set up 20 years ago by David Eldridge, headteacher at Askrigg Primary School, in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, after he heard of the economic and social problems facing rural poor in the Indian state.

He said: "Recently, we have helped people in the community who worked as bonded slaves in a quarry.

"The trust bought the quarry, built some basic houses and broke the bonds of ownership.

"We partly support our work through operating a 40-acre farm and also run two primary schools."

Becca Morgan, who runs Principal Teachers, was so impressed by the charity's work that she wanted to support it.

"Thanks to Jamie Oliver and his school dinner campaign, we all know the importance of a good healthy feed at lunchtime,"

she said. "For the children in Mettupalayam, school dinner not only means a nutritious meal, but it also provides a good incentive to attend classes.

"We passionately believe in the importance of a good education, so we are delighted to be supporting the health and education of this community in this way."

Mrs Morgan said that the agency normally sent cards by post to all the schools in the North-East with which it worked, and sent gifts and cards to the teachers on its books.

The supply teachers instead received a small gift of Fairtrade chocolate and a note explaining how the money has been spent this year.

Mrs Morgan said the agency hopes to continue to support the charity, probably with an Easter donation.

Schools in the area are also helping the trust, including Askrigg Primary School, which is donating proceeds from Christmas cards designed by pupils.