THE legacy of a former Oswestry Advertizer chief reporter has continued to help Kenyan children flourish more than a decade after his death, according to an old workmate.

Schoolchildren near Ukunda, Mombasa, are benefiting from money raised to build classrooms by former journalist, David Lawson, before he died from cancer aged 34 in January 2014.

David had bravely tackled a challenging fundraising walk up the 367-metre Breidden Hill, home to Admiral Rodney’s Pillar, on New Year’s Eve just weeks before he died.

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His courageous efforts raised more than £11,000 for Ellesmere-based charity ‘The Kenyan Schools Project’ – enabling classrooms and a water tank to be built at Mabokoni Primary School, to enhance its learning environment.

Children under the mango trees with teacher Thomas Jeffer. Children under the mango trees with teacher Thomas Jeffer. (Image: Robert Doman.)

Robert Doman, a former Tizer writer and friend of David, was able to visit the school and chat to teachers who told him how the money helped.

Kenyan schoolchildren sitting at a desk engraved with David Lawson's name from his fundraising. Kenyan schoolchildren sitting at a desk engraved with David Lawson's name from his fundraising. (Image: Robert Doman.)

“Before we received the money raised by David, children would sit on stones outside and concentration was low,” Amason Menza, a teacher at Mabokoni Primary School said.

David Lawson in the early years of his Tizer career. David Lawson in the early years of his Tizer career. (Image: Newsquest.)

“Now learning is much more conducive in classrooms, and school attendance and enrolment has also increased because they are much more comfortable.

Teachers, Amason Menza (in red) and Thomas Joseph Jeffer.Teachers, Amason Menza (in red) and Thomas Joseph Jeffer. (Image: Robert Doman.)

“The water tank has also improved hygiene and toilet sanitation is much better.”

Founded in 1967 under mango trees, Mabokoni Primary School now provides education to 480 pupils.

Thomas Joseph Jeffer, who also teaches at Mabokoni Primary School, said: “Without the classrooms, children would still be learning under the trees.

An inscription with a dedication to Bill and Lynn Morris on the school wall. An inscription with a dedication to Bill and Lynn Morris on the school wall. (Image: Robert Doman.)

“Now the school continues to progress and flourish thanks to David’s help.

“This improved learning environment enables children to focus more and helps to create a platform for life.”

Robert added: “It was fantastic to see how David’s determination to make a difference has improved the education, environment and opportunities for children at Mabokoni Primary School.

Robert Doman, David's colleague and a former Tizer reporter, sits in class. Robert Doman, David's colleague and a former Tizer reporter, sits in class. (Image: Robert Doman.)

“David was always interested in the work done by the Kenyan Schools Project, and although he’d be the first to praise others, he’d also be proud to know how he helped to achieve this for children in the area.

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“The school certainly values his contribution and David has a lasting legacy here.”

The Kenyan Schools Project, an Ellesmere-based charity, encouraged donations to provide desks and funding towards schools in Kenya.

Desks would often be adorned with the names of people, schools or groups making the donation, or in memory of others and was founded by Bill and Lynn Morris.