KIND-HEARTED pupils from a Newport school have helped raise part of £10,000 to fund an African school in memory of a former pupil.

Students from St Julian’s School this summer attended the official opening of the Chris Morrone Kiamathaga Secondary School – named after much-loved student Chris Morrone.

The fit and healthy 18-yearold was on a month-long expedition to Tigithi in Kenya with the charity Moving Mountains when he came down with a mystery illness in August 2009. He was flown back home but died four months later.

Following his death his mum, Anne-Marie, dad, John, and sister, Jodie set up The Chris Morrone Fund, which has so far raised at least £10,000 for the newfacility.

The first of four planned classrooms is complete, and once finished the school will have administration rooms and a science laboratory.

Some of the pupils who will study there are from the families of the porters who climbed Mount Kenya with Chris and knew him during his time there.

St Julian’s head boy and girl, Daniel Maitland and Chelsea Powell, who unveiled the African school’s plaques made by Newport man Kelvyn Reddicliffe, said the newfacility was a fitting tribute to Chris.

Head teacher Denise Richards praised her “inspirational”

students for their hard work in helping to fund the school, which will help thousands of people living in poverty.

Zoey Mitchell, 18, said: “I know how much Chris was loved by all the pupils. I think it is amazing to name the school after him. It shows how much of an impact he made on the children there. It makes him a hero, which he was. His memory will be remembered forever.”

To show their continued support for the project youngsters, led by Chris’ cousins, Liam, 16, and Bethany Campbell, 14, raised £2,000 at a fundraising day last week selling wristbands with Chris’ name on them.

To donate to The Chris Morrone Fund visit justgiving.

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