YOUNGSTERS at a school for the blind in Ethiopia are proud of their smart new look – and it’s all down to the kindness of Huddersfield youngsters.

Students at Mekelle School for the Blind in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, now have their first ever school uniforms thanks to the fundraising efforts of Royds Hall High School.

The cash was raised by the students’ Sport Relief Mile.

Mekelle, a boarding school, is home to more than 100 blind and visually-impaired children aged from five to 17.

Many of the children are orphans or come from villages which are at least four days’ walk away.

Royds Hall’s link to the school came about after a visit by headteacher Melanie Williams in July 2008 and her subsequent involvement with a charity organisation.

Mrs Williams has been out twice since her initial visit and is due to return again at Easter.

This time she will take typewriters which produce Braille and other items and will support training for staff.

A spokesman for Royds Hall said: “In a developing country where resources are very few, the children at Mekelle school have no clothes other than donations so their own new uniforms have been a tremendous boost.

“They make the students feel just like all other schoolchildren in Mekelle.

“We are hoping to support the children further by raising funds for Braille ‘Books at Bedtime’, which the children can read to each other before they go to sleep in their very basic dormitories.”

Anyone who wants to support Mekelle school can buy a desk calendar from Royds Hall reception for just £6.