CHILDREN in South Africa were treated to a special Christmas present this year thanks to the generosity of Goostrey residents.

Goostrey Primary School has been twinned with Elizabethfontain Primary School in South Africa – a three-hour drive north from Cape Town – for eight years.

On one occasion the school raised enough money to bring 10 children from the South African school and housed them in Goostrey for two weeks.

Donations from the village resulted in the school setting up a nursery in 2011 and naming it Goostrey Pre-Primer.

The plan is to again bring at least eight children to the village again this summer, with the students taking part in Goostrey Rose Day.

But in the run-up to Christmas the community of Goostrey set up a collection and as a result more than 300 toys were donated.

Annetjie Dames, head teacher of Elizabethfontein school, said: “We are blessed with the generosity of Goostrey Primary School who sent us the soft toys.

“The day was so special for the children; with a soft toy under the arm, a plate of cold meat and salad, ice cream and extra presents from ‘do-gooders’ in our community.

“Thank you very much to all who helped make the day a success. It is always lovely to see the children’s faces lit up with happiness.”

Lyndsey Saxton, head teacher at Goostrey, said: “I want to thank everyone so much for the wonderful toys for the children at our twin school in South Africa.

“We sent almost 300 on their journey to South Africa and we know that when they opened the boxes at Christmas they will know that we at Goostrey School continue to think and care about the children at Elizabethfontein.”