Kind-hearted Ramsgate students have raised funds for much-needed everyday classroom equipment for a school they are helping rebuild in Thailand.

The charity campaign at Ellington School for Girls is to help build a decent education centre for children in Kayong village in Surin province and the latest shipment of pencil cases and writing and drawing equipment was delivered this month.

Money is raised from events including non-uniform days and the charity appeal in the school is headed by senior girls, known as the Surin Angels.

Acting head teacher Tony Hamson said: “The school has taken this charity campaign under its wing and our aim is ensure that the overall project is sustainable. We hope to help provide funding for learning resources including computer technology and also develop a link with children and staff. This is an excellent community project for our girls and it shows them that it is possible to make a difference for other people, even those half way round the world in a tiny village.”

Ellington School for Girls is working with Thai chef Damrong Garbutt, who runs The Surin restaurant in Ramsgate’s Harbour Street with her husband Tim, who have already raised thousands of pounds towards rebuilding the school Damrong attended in Kayong village.

When Tim and Damrong visited the village earlier in the year with practical gifts provided by Ellington, the villagers were overwhelmed by the simple act of kindness.

Tim said: “The teachers, children and villagers could not believe that people the other side of the world are working to help build them a new school. They are so thankful. They are a poor farming community and education is the one real way that families have of ensuring their children have the choice for a different future.”

The village community is working to prepare a foundation for a larger school centre that will cost around £15,000 to build and equip.

Ellington’s Surin Angels will be getting advice and expertise from Thanet Lions Club about the most effective way to co-ordinate their efforts over the coming months.

The Angels will act as ambassadors and will take their charity project into Ellington’s partnership primary schools to explain about the Surin scheme. It is hoped that other secondary schools will join in the Ellington-led initiative too, and the Hereson School for boys in Broadstairs has already pledged its support.

The school is preparing a major display to trace the progress of the project and future initiatives include a Thai cultural and heritage event.