BRANSCOMBE Primary School pupils enjoyed making and eating scones topped with honey to raise charity funds.

The idea came about after Richard Unwin, of Hives Save Lives, gave a talk at the school about the charity’s work. The international businessman set up the charity, which promotes beekeeping and honey production to combat rural poverty in Africa, after visiting Uganda. It provides a package of hives, training and equipment to projects and then offers ongoing support once they are off the ground. It is currently working in Uganda, manufacturing hives, protective clothing and equipment. The first ladies of Tanzania and Zambia have invited representatives to work in their countries too.

Mr Unwin, who spends most of his time in Africa but has a house in Branscombe, was impressed by the pupils’ grasp of the subject. “I was absolutely bowled over by their level of thinking and brightness,” he said. “I tried to equate to them that they probably get more pocket money than a family in Africa has to live on.”

The charity has ‘broken the mould’, said Mr Unwin, because its emphasis is on aiding self-sufficiency rather than just throwing money at the issue. “It gives people hope,” he said. “I’m very passionate about it because it’s a formula that works.”

Headteacher Katie Gray said the school had been keen to help the charity raise money: “The children paid �1 each to make the scones, which tasted great. We put some out for the parents at the end of the day too.”

The day raised �34.33. For more information about the charity visit www.hivessavelives.com.