A TRUCK-LOAD of goodies is on its way to children in a poor African country, thanks to the combined efforts of many Plymouth people.

Leah Burch, a teacher at Holy Cross Primary School and a member of Plymstock Road Runners Club, has been collecting sports equipment and educational materials for children in The Gambia after visiting the John Vianney School, Holy Cross's link school, with children aged five to 18.

"While I was there I did some teaching and some professional development," she said. "I was so shocked by how little they had.

"I came back with the goal that I was going to send a 40ft container with sports and educational equipment by the end of the year.

"The children really love football but they're playing with no shoes and no kit."

The Road Runners donated £750 and plenty of running shoes from senior and junior members, Leah organised a Moroccan- themed evening of food and dance at her school, which quickly sold out, and a donation of Langage Farm ice-cream raised another £100.

Eventually Leah had collected enough books, microscopes, rulers, pencils, PE equipment, hockey sticks, balls, woodwork tools, furniture and bicycles to make up a full load, as well as enough cash to transport it.

Holy Cross staff and pupils gained some much-needed muscle when members of the running club, 29 Commando Regiment and Greenbank firefighters turned up to help them load a container supplied by Plymouth removers Hackworthy and Son.