STAFF and students at a York school are appealing for donations to take with them on a charity trip to South Africa.

A group of 10 Year 10 students from Archbishop Holgate’s CE Academy are visiting the Diocese of Cape Town for two weeks from Friday, April 15.

They will be working with charities that support AIDS orphans and homeless and destitute people.

As well as their own luggage the group hope to take several extra suitcases filled with a variety of items to be donated to the charities.

Donations they are looking for include baby and toddler clothes, writing equipment, new soft toys, hand-knitted items, clean second-hand football boots and clothing for both teenagers and small and medium-sized men.

Two years ago they took six additional suitcases of items and they would love to repeat this success.

Richard Nihill, who is leading the trip with fellow teacher Hannah Turvey, said: "This will be the sixth visit by a group from Archbishop Holgate’s, and the school has built up good relationships with individuals and organisations in Cape Town since 2004.

"The students will get a flavour of South Africa’s history and geography as well as getting to know the people, but the most important part of the visit is the community service the students will be doing.

"They’ll be doing some work with Fikelela, a charity for orphaned children with AIDS.

"They will be working in the AIDS orphanage in Khaylelitsha, which is home to children aged six months to eight years, whose parents have died of AIDS, and who are themselves infected with the virus.

"They will also be working with The Warehouse, which works with homeless and destitute people. In particular they support people who have lost everything in devastating shack fires."

In advance of their visit, the students have been doing various fundraising events.

They had a stall at Stamford Bridge School Fair AND held an African themed fundraising lunch.

The group also spent a day bag packing at Morrisons supermarket and held a quiz night in the school.

Collectively these events have raised more than £1,500.

Anyone willing to donate items should contact the school on 01904 411341 or email reception@archbishopholgates.org