Pictured above: Corpus Christi School pupils Callum Coyle, Amber Motherwell and Iona Curran-Wheeler are joined by (from left, rear) Paul King, of Pertemps People Development Group, head teacher Barry Desmond and teacher Pete Foley

Zimbabwe 11-year-old Kundai will now be able to complete her education thanks to the generosity of two former school friends.

Pete Foley, a primary school teacher at Corpus Christi School in Stechford, Birmingham, learned that £1,000 was needed for Kundai to complete her schooling, a sum well out of her reach without additional help.

Inspired teachers and pupils made a pledge to raise funds for Kundai and by the end of the summer term had managed to collect a magnificent £860.

Needing to find the balance quickly, Pete turned to lifelong friend Paul King to ask for assistance in raising the remaining £140. A phone call led to a positive response from Paul's Birmingham-based employers Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) who agreed to donate the rest of the funds.

Now the life-changing contribution has been sent to Zimbabwe, enabling Kundai to finish her studies.

Pete said: "As a teacher I know how important education is. It's something we often take for granted but an immense expense for an individual, with little or no income, to meet."

Paul, marketing director at PPDG, was more than happy to suggest his friend's efforts be supported by the company. He said: "I believe both the school and ourselves have a reputation and passion for caring and helping others. In this instance it's important to acknowledge the endeavors of all the children who have shown such humanity in giving someone they have never met an opportunity to fulfill their educational potential, which is a lesson for us all."

PPDG is proud of its community engagement programme and was delighted to be involved in enabling the school to achieve its target, he added.