Primary school students who have raised thousands for charity received an inspirational visit from the Bishop of Southwark yesterday.

The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun heaped praise on the 400 students at Bishop Gilpin Primary School on Monday, April 22, who have raised more than £6,000 to help fund a poor rural school in Zimbabwe.

Teachers and members of the local school community have supported the students in their fundraising efforts which began in 2009 as part of a charity project for lent.

The money raised by the school has helped to pay for essential teaching materials, electricity and vital repairs to the classrooms and school buildings of Mabale Primary School in Dete, in the northeast of the African nation.

Matt Ball, head teacher at Bishop Gilpin said: "The Bishop's visit was inspirational for our children and recognition of the amazing work they’ve done to raise funds for our partner school Mabale in Zimbabwe."

Students at the Wimbledon school have also been forging friendships with Mabale students through regular penpal letters, helping them gain a better understanding of life for children living in rural Zimbabwe.

Bishop Gilpin Primary School’s support of the Zimbabwean school is organised by Kate Oppenheim, parent to three Bishop Gilpin students, who works in partnership with Painted Dog Conservation, a charity based on the borders of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.