A Surbiton school welcomed the Laotian ambassador to the UK to celebrate 500 pairs of shoes having been collected for a scheme supporting children in Laos.
Shrewsbury House in Ditton Road has been involved with the Conversion Sports Shoe Collection, which supports children in Laos in a youth rugby development scheme but passed on used trainers, Astroturf shoes and football boots.
The scheme also provides opportunities for more than 2,000 with integrated life-skills sessions that focus on leadership skills, numeracy, literacy and positive attitudes towards gender equality.
Pupils and teachers welcomed H E Mr. Sayakane Sisouvong, the Laotian Ambassador to the UK, Councillor Geoff Austin, mayor of Kingston, and Kingston and Surbiton MP James Berry to the school on Tuesday to celebrate their success.
Gareth Cross, chairman of Teddington Rugby and Football Club, who have supported the campaign, shared the school’s success on Tuesday with Shrewsbury House School governor Jane Whittingham.
Shrewsbury House parent, Steve Blevins, said: “The ambassador thanked all those involved in supporting CONVERSION and reiterated the impact that this scheme would have on the development of Laos and the opportunities that could be created for its young people.”
To commemorate the event, H E Mr. Sayakane Sisouvong and Cllr Austin were presented with Shrewsbury House School ties and rugby balls.
The next collection will be on January 11, 2017.
Source: Surrey Comet (UK)
