CASH donated to a South African orphanage by Bewdley Rotary Club has been put to good use by helping build a new kitchen for the youngsters.

Selfless teenager Lauren Wright, who volunteers with Rotary’s New Generations exchange programme, flew out to the country to present staff at Botshabelo Children’s Home with the £200 donation, days before Christmas.

The money was raised from the Severn Walk – a sponsored 225-mile stroll that covered the Severn Way –organised by Bewdley and Stourport Rotary clubs, last September.

Lauren, from Bewdley, said: “The home were very grateful for the donation, particularly during the Christmas period, when their resources are stretched. After much deliberation it has been decided to spend the £200 in two ways.

“One hundred and f ifty pounds has gone towards a new milk kitchen, where the bottles are prepared for the children. The existing facility is falling apart and has been infested with termites."

She added the remaining £50 had been spent on drinking cups, plates, toys and educational aids.

The cash also went towards batteries for toys that had been out of use for weeks as the home had no money to replace the batteries for them.

“Our donation has certainly been put to good use,”

Lauren added.

The South African home opened in 2000 to help babies abandoned in hospitals or left to die due to poverty and HIV. It is the third time Lauren has visited the home, based in Midrand, between Johannesburg and Pretoria.