A CHARITY car boot sale is being organised at Springfield Campus, Corsham, on April 3 to raise funds for a former Wiltshire resident now running a school in Tanzania.

Val McGivern, formerly of Holt, has devoted the last eight years of her life to building and establishing Children of Choba primary and nursery school in Pangani, Tanzania.

Mrs McGivern now works as the school manager on a voluntary basis as the government withdrew their funding, so her teacher friend Katie Elliot, of Box, is throwing this event to fundraise for the charities Children of Choba and The Brooke.

“She is an inspirational person and she is doing things I only everdream of,” said Ms Elliot. “The school helps the many youngsters in Choba and the surrounding villages have a better start in life. The parents recognised that education was the way to escape poverty, and they asked for a school to be built.

“They are very grateful to Val and have built her a home. She has given her savings towards the school but it still needs more to keep this wonderful cause running.”

This is the second time a car boot sale has been held towards this effort and Ms Elliot, who teaches at Kingswood Prep School in Bath, is encouraged by the interest shown so far.

“We are filling up bookings nicely. £1 goes a long way but she needs a lot more than that to keep the school going,” she said.

“The last one we had went well and was well received, so hopefully we can build on that success.”

The event will take place from 9.30am-12.30pm.with set up from 8.45am, and Tables can be hired for £8 for one or £15 for two and can be booked at indoorcarboot@hotmail.com.