A mercy mission by city school pupils has been given a major boost by Echo readers. Girls at St Margaret's School, in St Leonard's, have collected hundreds of new toothbrushes which they will donate to an orphanage in southern India as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award expedition.

And a collection by the Echo generated dozens more.

The orphans, who are cared for in the Good Will Children's Home, in Tamil Nadu, are in desperate need of toothbrushes to help combat tooth decay.

Elaine Clark, who is leading the trip of 29 sixth formers, said the children would be thrilled with their practical gifts.

She said: "Tooth decay is such a huge problem for the children because they have a high sugar diet. They grow sugar cane and chew on it like you would do a stick of rock and they also put condensed milk in their tea to make it very sweet.

"These gifts will make a huge difference to their lives and will be really valued by them.

"Each child has a little locker which they put all their belongings in. The toothbrush that we give them will be a precious possession for them to add.

"We have collected about 300 toothbrushes so far, and we expect that figure to rise to about 500, by the time we go there."

An Echo-organised collection, started last week, has already raised more than 50 toothbrushes.

Mrs Clark said: "We would like to say thank you so much to those who have made the effort."

As well as toothbrushes, the pupils will take hair ties, wooden picture puzzles and insulin freezing packs with them.

She added: "Diabetes is a huge problem too, so we are taking some packs that keep insulin cold but do not require electricity."

Before meeting the orphans, the sixth formers will trek through the Western Ghats for four days.

The 35-mile hike, 8,000ft above sea-level will be a real challenge for the girls, but they are looking forward to it.

Emilee Carre, 16, said she was most looking forward to their arrival at the children's home.

"This is the third time a group from the school has been sent out and last time students recorded the moment they walked into the orphanage," she said.

"The children were so excited and placing garlands around the girls' necks. It looked really touching."

The teenagers, who head out to India on October 17, also raised a staggering £13,421 which will fund the building of a new classroom at the orphanage and also education, welfare and outreach projects.

- First published on thisisexeter.co.uk

Last update: 31-10-2007 16:13