SHOES, first aid supplies and even a pig have been delivered by hand to an African school thanks to generous local Rotarians.

Members of the Lunesdale and Carnforth clubs have travelled from Cumbria and north Lancashire to Uganda and Malawi to help three charities, including the 10-year-old Kitale School, which was set up by Warton man, Mike Willetts.

"There were several projects to accomplish during the seven days we spent at the school," explained Lilian Barton, of Lunesdale Rotary.

"Mike's heartfelt wish is to provide all the pupils of this school with life skills to help them become self-sufficient and find a way out of the poverty surrounding them.

"His achievements are much to be admired."

She explained that all pupils were bought shoes to protect their otherwise-bare feet from the 'jigger bug' - amounting to some 350 pairs.

The school was provided with first aid equipment and Mike's wife, Linda, taught some of the older girls to make washable sanitary protection.

The school was taught how to recycle and make money from it, and was also bought a pregnant pig, which has had nine piglets, to meet demand for pork in the surrounding villages.

Lilian and Rotary colleague, Duncan Hamlett, then travelled on to Blantyre in southern Malawi to visit the charity, Mary's Meals, which feeds primary school children in some of the poorest countries in the world.

They also visited Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), which maintains a fleet of small aircraft so that aid can be delivered to developing countries.

"Our trip was unforgettable," added Lilian.

"Each day was packed with activities demonstrating the good work done by Rotary all around the world.

"We all came home, however, so thankful for what we have."

Rotarians have raised thousands of pounds for the charities in recent years, including £7,000 for the Kitale School alone.

"We're helping them to become self-sufficient," explained Mike.

"And the Rotary clubs have been fantastic. We couldn't have done it without them."