FAMILIES in an East African village are to receive a new farm - thanks to the efforts of Tadcaster Grammar School.

Year nine pupils raised a total of £2,800 during the last academic year for West Country-based charity Send A Cow.

Students worked individually and in small groups to raise the cash through a variety of sponsored and money-generating activities. The whole year's efforts were completed with a sponsored fancy dress walk.

Send A Cow ambassador David Turner visited the pupils to accept the cheque and explain how their money will be used to help families who have suffered the ravages of war and famine.

A cow, some goats, pigs, poultry, bees and fruit trees will now be delivered to a village in either Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia or Rwanda to increase their income and improve their diet.

The charity will also provide appropriate training in livestock rearing and organic farming. Their philosophy is to give people a "hand up" rather than a "hand out".

Geoff Wilson, head of year nine, said the concept had "fired the imagination" of the students and that they had made a "magnificent effort" to raise the money.

Updated: 09:20 Wednesday, September 24, 2003