Pupils at a South Derbyshire School are putting their hearts and “soles” into donating as many pairs of shoes as possible to raise money for a Kenyan orphanage.

Pupils at The Pingle Academy, in Coronation Street, Swadlincote, were so taken by the visit by Marion Askew from the Footprints Orphanage, that they were desperate to help and have been collecting pairs of shoes for the charity.

Teacher Lucia Covell said: “We are now asking all pupils, parents and staff to sort through their old shoes and donate them to our shoe collection.

"We can’t emphasise the importance of the donations enough, as without footwear bare feet are susceptible to chigoe fleas found in the sand, which burrow into the skin and lay eggs.

"As well as being painful, infections can lead to amputation and in the worst cases, death.’

“We are looking at donating as many shoes as possible, from baby to adult, male and female. Shoes don’t have to be new, but need to have a little life left in them.

"We only need shoes that are suitable for walking in the heat of Kenya: trainers, flip-flops, sandals and school shoes are ideal.

"However, Footprints have suggested that slippers and high heels are not the most appropriate footwear.”

Footprints Orphanage was set up by Stretton resident Kerry Watson in 2010 and looks after more than 30 children.