A primary school in Hersham is just £2,500 away from giving its sister school in Uganda a permanent supply of clean water.

Burhill Primary School has already raised thousands of pounds for St Mary’s in Kimbo, near Kampala, in a series of events.

For the past two and half years, Burhill has been working closely with St Mary’s, which has 324 students, some of whom have been orphaned.

The initiative began after a former teaching assistant, Sandra Aviles-Martinez, visited the school and brought some Burhill jumpers for the St Mary’s students who could not afford their own uniform.

In 2016, a raffle held by the Hersham school raised enough money to provide St Mary’s with built toilet facilities, something they did not have previously, as well as desks and chairs.

The school has no electricity, no running water, just six classrooms for all 324 children.

Burhill Headteacher, Sally Hewlett-Taylor, said: “The determination of the pupils here at Burhill to continue helping St Mary’s with fundraising initiatives means that we are thrilled to be able to, not only be in a position to provide a permanent water supply to the school of St Marys in Uganda, but also we’re pretty close to be able to provide a water supply for the entire village.

“I’m extremely grateful to all our students, parents and staff who have helped us get so close to this incredible achievement.

“The difference in the quality of life of the children at St Mary’s now mean that they have basic equipment we all take for granted at school here and around the UK – running water, books, desks, toilets, school uniform.

“Through Burhill’s work – this has become achievable and I’m very proud of everyone who has helped.”

Ashley Lovell, mother of Burhill year 3 student Dillon Townsend, and organiser of one of the fundraising events, a concert evening, said: “Having conceived and organised that wonderful evening in June last year at St Peter’s Church in Hersham where the children of Burhill came together with the African Children’s Choir to perform such uplifting songs at our local church was an incredible memory I’ll always behold.

“The entire community came together – Burhill Primary, St Peter’s Church, the children, families and businesses of Hersham to help make it such a memorable and magical evening.

“The money raised on the night has meant that the children of St Mary’s will no longer have to walk the equivalent distance of Hersham to Weybridge just to get clean drinking water and can continue with their school work and to play as all school children should be able to do.

“However, with this last push needed just another £2,500 – we will potentially be able to provide the entire village with a permanent water supply which is a phenomenal feat and something I feel confident we will manage to achieve.”

To help Burhill Primary School achieve this: Contact head@burhill.surrey.sch.uk