Little hands reach out

Age is not a barrier when it comes to charity ... all it requires is a big heart like little Kevin Linton's and a will to share.

The student councillor and his classmates - seven-year-old Year 2 students at St Christopher's Infant School in Saar - are bringing joy and happiness into the hearts of young cancer victims with a scheme they have titled Project KP - named after a cancer unit's kid's playroom.

It involves children collecting and donating good quality used toys and books for the Philippines Children's Medical Centre in Manila.

The first collection of four boxes has already been shipped to their destination this week and will be kept in warehouses until the schoolboy hand delivers them to the unit during the summer holidays.

Head of Year 2, Richard Evans said that the students had initiated the project without any motivation or coaching from staff. He said: "Project KP was established by Kevin who spoke to the student council.

"The initiative has given the students an impetus to think of others who are less fortunate then themselves. The teachers also have had an opportunity to sit down and talk about the facility in the Philippines.

"We are very, very proud of these students - enormously proud of them!"

Many of the youngsters are bringing in toys and items they no longer play with and some have even bought along brand new goodies for the collection.

With his sister Danielle, 11, Kevin has also garnered support from Forex Cargo - the company has agreed to transport the boxes for free to the Philippines.

And, Children's Health Academy of Specialised Sports (CHAOSS) in Al Maqsha, where Danielle and Kevin are active gymnasts, is also supporting the project by placing a collection box in the reception office.

Kevin said: "The school was asking us for ideas for charity work and I thought we could involve the class and give the toys we no longer play with away to children in hospitals."

His enthusiastic mum, Alfre from Awali, added: "We go home to the Philippines every year and my children are aware of the hospitals and lack of facilities there.

Kevin was involved in a small accident in Manila and noticed that there are no toys in the hospital, whereas at the Awali Hospital, the paediatric section is full of toys."

The family thought it would be an excellent idea to donate the toys to the cancer unit's kid's playroom at the Philippine Children's Medical Centre to help children who are undergoing long-term treatment.

"The hospital is government run and they have very little resources for play therapy and materials to entertain children whilst in treatment," said Mrs Linton.

"Kevin and Danielle have done a big clear out of their own toys and will be personally delivering these and all the donations from the children of Bahrain in the first week of August."

A summer disco will be staged next Monday for all students in years 5, 6 and 7 to mark the launch of The St Christopher's Foundation this term. The foundation aims to encourage pupils to raise money for good causes in a fun and enjoyable way.

Funds raised will be used to benefit Bahraini children's charities as well as international causes for young people around the world.

"The students of the whole school student council will represent their individual year groups in deciding what charities are to receive the money raised through The St Christopher's Foundation fundraising events," explained Niall Boland, Head Boy.

Tickets to the first summer disco at the Junior School Hall in Saar cost BD2 and include a drink and snacks, added Serena Mujtaba, head girl.