Pershore’s Rotarians, supported by members of the Inner Wheel Club and Evesham Rotary, are working to raise funds £4,500 for new school toilets for Sri Lankan schoolchildren.

Project co-ordinator John Angood said that clean water, sanitation and hygiene education are taken for granted in the Western world but, due to a lack of toilets or water supply in their schools, nearly one million children in Sri Lanka do not have safe sanitation and run the risk of catching water-borne diseases.

This affects all students, particularly girls, often resulting in irregular attendance.

Following years of conflict in Sri Lanka, a school building programme has now been started as part of the peace process in the Trincomalee area.

However, some schools in this deprived region have been built without toilets and this will seriously affect their children’s education. When people have access to clean water and sanitation, water-borne diseases decrease; children stay healthier and attend school more regularly.

All funds raised will be directed through the Rotary Clubs of Kandy and Trincomalee, who will manage the building process.

Pershore Rotary has had a longstanding link with Kandy and Trincomalee Rotary Clubs.

Mr Angood said: “Proper sanitation and toilets are desperately needed in the area and we are delighted to be working with our Rotary colleagues in Sri Lanka to make it happen.”

To kickstart fundraising, Pershore Rotary and its supporters are holding a ferret racing event at Peopleton village hall on Saturday, November 10, starting at 7pm.

Tickets cost £15 which includes a fish and chip supper.

Pershore Rotary’s Clive Crouch, who has been instrumental in organising the event, is determined to make the project a success in order that these children can be given the respect and hygienic sanitation facilities they desperately need.

He said: "Providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene is one of Rotary’s 6 ‘Areas of Focus’ where we support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation and hygiene to more people every day.

"We don’t just build toilets and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term."

To find out more about Rotary and its toilets for Sri Lanka project, contact Bob Marchant at bobmarchant@uwclub.net or on 07850 996732.