Embargo: Immediate 27th December 2006
TENBURY HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS RESPOND TO PHONES4AFRICA APPEAL PIC/STORY
Pupils from Tenbury High School were praised for handing over their old mobile phones in support of the Phones4Africa appeal before they broke up for the Christmas holiday. The phones were received by West Worcestershire’s Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt and Malvern Hills Council Chairman, Councillor George Price, after Headteacher Stuart Cooke responded to Mr Burt’s challenge for schools to collect old and unwanted mobile phones for Africa this Christmas.
The appeal was originally made by parliamentarians from all parties in Westminster and supported by Vodafone
Richard Burt said:
“I was delighted by the generosity shown by pupils from Tenbury High School and was able to thank them personally for their phones.
“I am also confident that Tenbury and other schools will be able to collect many more unwanted mobiles for the appeal in the new year.
"At least 75% of us own a mobile phone and every hour 1712 mobile phones are upgraded in the UK alone. Despite having a lifespan of 10 years we usually keep them for 18 months on average. Africans do not have the same luxury.
"If all mobile-users in the UK threw their old phones in the bin we'd be land filling £650,000 worth of silver a year, not to mention the toxic chemicals that would leak into the environment.”
Anyone who wants to support the Phones4Africa campaign can send their unwanted mobiles free of charge to – FREEPOST Fonebak Vodafone Africa.
Ends
CAPTION: Presenting their old mobile phones for the Phones4Africa appeal on the last day of term were pupils (from left), Chloe Piper, Scott Barker, Sophie Fenemore, Keith Marston and Kirsty Clayton with Councillor George Price (left), Richard Burt and Headteacher Stuart Cooke (right).