Chain of children championing change

The chain of children was formed in support of the estimated 80m children across the globe who currently have no opportunity of going to school.

In 2005 the G8 forum of governments, including the United Kingdom, promised to give all children access to primary education by 2015 and the children at Climping joined hands to remind them of that promise.

All 93 children at the school took part, wearing non-uniform on the day and paying a voluntary contribution of 1 to go towards to cause.

Children from years 5 and 6 spearheaded the scheme at the school after learning about the global campaign for education in their citizenship lessons.

Deputy head at the school Gay Ryan said the children were inspired to help support others in the world having felt privileged to have received an education themselves.

"The children were really positive about primary education," she said. "They realised how important it is in making friends, being part of teams and preparing you for secondary education and the world of work.

"Their chain was part of a global campaign to remind the G8 of their promise to give primary education to every child in the world.

"I was really pleased with the way the children responded so positively to the campaign and how they saw the importance of education."

Each child also made a paper chain doll which will be sent along with pictures of their human chain to Angela Merkel the German chancellor who is the current chairman of the European Council.

Head teacher Janet Llewelyn said: "I think this is a great initiative as it is raising the children's awareness of the plight of other children in other parts of the world."

Visit www.sendmyfriend.org for more information about the initiative and to get involved.