Liphook resident and dedicated volunteer Claire Paye is spearheading a campaign to double donations to an education charity that helps Kenyan children complete their education.

She is chair of the Mwezi Foundation which donates portable solar lights to schools in remote Kenyan villages without electricity and is appealing for donations through the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

The challenge sees donations doubled by match funders found by the Big Give nationwide charity funding platform.

Claire said: “On a rota basis, pupils borrow the lights overnight to do their homework, and this makes it more likely they will complete their education and escape poverty and, for girls, avoid early marriage.

“Our 2,500 portable Mwezi solar lights are simple and sturdy, but in constant use by the children.

“When they malfunction, we swap them straight away – at no cost to schools or pupils – and our Kenyan technician, John, repairs them in our Mombasa workshop.

“This gets them back into circulation as soon as possible, so more pupils can benefit, and we are raising money through the Big Give to help pay for this maintenance work.”

Donations can be made via the Big Give website at https://donate.thebiggive.org.uk/ until Tuesday, December 6, when the Christmas Challenge ends.