Banbury bus driver organises Christmas joy for African students

Stagecoach bus driver and Unite union representative, Wellington Muzondo , led the project to help Nehumba Primary and Secondary School, located in a rural part of Zimbabwe, access better sportswear.

Wellington said: “During a recent family holiday we were invited to Nehumba Primary and Secondary School by a church friend, who is also the sport organiser for the school. My children were taken by the daily hardship children there go through every single day and suggested that we try and help."

After Banbury Academy school was rebranded to Wykham Park, children were asked to donate their former sportswear to a charity.

After speaking with a former teacher at Wykham Park, Wellington and Stagecoach in Oxfordshire stepped in to transport the the kit over to Africa.

“When we returned home to the UK, I became aware of the school here donating sports kits and asked my employer, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, if we could help with the shipping costs which were over £400," said Wellington.

He added: "I am delighted that we could and I know how grateful the children over in Zimbabwe will be.”

Easington Junior Football Club also contributed to the donation, providing 20 pairs of second hand football boots from the under 14 boys team.

Martin Gibbon, operations director at Stagecoach in Oxfordshire said: “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with a local school and support one of our team with a charitable project.

"We hope the package helps schoolchildren over in Zimbabwe and wish everyone who helped get the kits there, a very merry Christmas.”