CHILDREN at West Kirby Residential School will have a holiday in the South of France after the Freemasons' Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys donated £5,000. This means the school can reach its charity appeal target for a new mini bus and take children on a trip to France.

West Kirby Residential School started out as a children's home in 1881 and now educates up to 95 boarding and day pupils with special needs.

Tom Fitton, chair of the school directors, thanked the Masons for their cheque and everyone else in the community who has supported the appeal.

"Our aim is to buy a new minibus for the school, some of the funds having been raised by pupils on a sponsored walk. The latest donation from the Masonic Trust enables us to reach our target. The remainder of the money will be used for an educational trip to the South of France in May. Youngsters going on the trip would not normally be able to afford such an adventure and will be in our care," he said.

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