YOUNGSTERS from two Chester-le-Street schools joined forces to make life a little brighter for orphans in Afghanistan.

Children at Nettlesworth and Bournmoor Primary Schools collected essential items such as food, toiletries, pens, paper, playing cards and baby wipes and packed them in shoe boxes that will be sent to children who have lost their parents in the country’s long-running war .

The idea came from mother-of-three Donna Bruce, from Nettlesworth, who volunteers at the village youth club and runs a community café and the local food bank and credit union. Cestria Community Housing supported the initiative.

Mrs Bruce, 39, said: “The kids were fantastic and we collected over 40 boxes in total.

“ We also sent a couple of boxes to the local dog shelter with dog treats and toys that were collected for pets.

“I really appreciate the support from Cestria Community Housing who are always very supportive of the projects we run here in Nettlesworth and I would particularly like to thank housing officer, Angela Knox.

“This is a good example of the whole community working together for a very worthy cause.”

Bournmoor head Laura Snowdon said: “This project has shown our pupils that what they do can make a big difference. “