CARING Wollaston schoolchildren are helping to set up a children's health clinic in Gambia.

Ridgewood High School is continuing to support youngsters in the West African country as part of Project Gambia.

Since the project started in 2007, more than 300 students, staff and supporters have visited Gambia and the school has raised thousands of pounds to support schools and poor communities.

Each year the project goes from strength to strength and 2014 was no different, as youngsters helped to refurbish classrooms in Sintet and Madiana and purchased much-needed equipment, including solar lights and mosquito nets.

They also spread some festive cheer by shipping out more than 200 shoeboxes full of Christmas presents for schoolchildren and families they work with.

This year, the school has teamed up with Newlife Children's Centre and Kotusilo villagers to set up a clinic to provide free medical care to children who attend the schools at Half Dye and Kanifing.

Bev Hodt, assistant headteacher and Project Gambia leader, said: "Many of the children who attend the schools at Kanifing and Half Dye, live in Kotusilo, a village built on the edge of a rubbish dump.

"They live in dirty and unhygienic conditions so it is no surprise that many of them become ill.

"Skin diseases, malaria and diarrhoea are common and families cannot afford medical care, so far too often the inevitable happens and these vulnerable children die."

Determined to improve the situation, Project Gambia will pay for a nurse to provide medical care in the clinic and health education in both of the local schools.

The school is also appealing for donations of first aid items that can be used in the clinic.

Items include plasters, bandages, disposable sterile gloves, antiseptic cream, painkillers for infants and antiseptic hand wash.

Donations can be dropped off at the school on Park Road West.