Pupils at Capital City Academy donate �39,000 to project

Generous pupils have raised a staggering �39,000 to go to Uganda where they will help build a school.

The dedicated youngsters, from Capital City Academy, in Doyle Gardens, Willesden, have spent 18 months organising fundraising events including car washes, race nights and even a charity boxing fight, to come up with the cash.

But all the hard work has paid off, and the year 11 and 12 students are now gearing up to fly out to the heart of Africa later this month where they will live among the locals, camp in tents and help build a school.

Charlotte Edwards, 17, from Kilburn, studies geography, sport, art and biology and took part in all of the fundraising events.

She said: “It’s a once in a life time experience. I’ve always wanted to go to Africa because of its culture.

“I’m sure this is going to change my life and teach me how to respect the things we have.”

Nabil Al-Kinani, 16, from Wembley, has never been camping before. He said: “I want to know what it is like outside city life. I want to explore other parts of the world and see how lucky we are here.

“We take a lot of things for granted.”

The trip has been organised with the help of World Challenge, a company which organises school expeditions.

Not only will the students help with the building work, they will also bring a box of supplies including pens, rulers and calculators, to give to the children for their new school.

Trupti Patel, who has been a maths teacher at Capital City for four years, will lead the expedition.

She said: “Raising nearly �40,000 is an incredible feat. They raised the money all by themselves.

“I’m very proud of them and hope they will have a life-changing experience.”

The pupils leave for Uganda via Nairobi on July 22.