AN appeal launched in Upton-upon-Severn to aid a Kenyan school has raised more than £5,000 in just six weeks - exceeding its target for the year.

All 16 churches in the Upton Deanery were invited to help support Anajali School, in the slum area of Nairobi, where 130 children are taught in three mud classrooms.

It was hoped to raise £5,000 within a year, but after the town's Jazz Festival at the end of June, when more than 1,000 people attended the Sunday service at Upton Parish Church, Rural Dean Chris Hardwick said the total had reached £5,200.

"We are absolutely delighted, but we are not going to stop now, because the need is desperate," he said.

"We are still receiving individual donations and we have plenty of events planned, including an African Day in September, a children's Christmas card competition and various things in the New Year."

The appeal got off to a good start on Sunday, May 19, when a collection raised £700 after the school's founder, the Rev Cyprian Yobera, spoke at the launch service in Upton.

An auction of promises in Bushley Village Hall raised £852, another special service brought in £400 and many individual donations and smaller events added to the total, including £160 raised by children at Upton Primary School.

A collection at the Jazz Festival service put the balance over the target with a further £600.

"We set ourselves what we considered a realistic target, but people's generosity has really exceeded our expectations," said Dr Hardwick.

"The first £5,000 was to provide permanent classrooms, toilets and a workshop as a priority, but there is also a need for educational materials and anything else we raise will further improve conditions in the school."

Donations can be sent to the Appeal Office, Rectory, Old Street, Upton-upon-Severn, WR8 0JQ.