PARENTS and pupils were left feeling pumped after collecting hundreds of shoes for poor children across the world.

An estimated 600 pairs of unwanted children’s shoes were donated by parents at Haydonleigh Primary School in Haydon Wick.

The shoes are being given to Sal’s Shoes, a charity that collects shoes in the UK before shipping them to schoolchildren in developing countries around the world.

Haydonleigh parent Clare Harbridge came up with the idea to collect the shoes after stumbling across charity Sal’s Shoes on Facebook.

She said: “It was founded by a lady who realised that at the end of the school year there was nobody to give her child’s shoes to.”

Walking to school barefoot can make children more vulnerable to injuries and infection from parasites, such as hookworm.

Clare, 36, approached Haydonleigh school about collecting unwanted shoes. “They’ve been fantastic in supporting this – as have the parents.”

Speaking on Friday morning, Clare said: “We’ve run out of boxes. So far we’ve got 200 pairs and I’d say we’ve got another four or five hundred pairs to sort.”

She said that parents were coming in with “big bags” of shoes.

Clare herself donated 21 pairs of shoes that had once belonged to her two boys, aged six and four.

“We’ve had sparkly shoes donated and lots of brand new children’s shoes that have never been worn.

“Having two boys, the sparkly shoes are probably my favourite. Sadly, they’re not my size.”

The shoes will be taken to Sal’s Shoes’ depot in Redhill, Surrey, by delivery firm DHL – who have offered their services for free.

“Without them we would have really struggled to get the shoes to Redhill.”

Sue Heath, Haydonleigh Primary School’s business manager, praised Clare’s efforts: “We’re so pleased to support it. The parents have been so generous and we were overwhelmed by the number of shoes that have been donated.

“It’s really good for the children to see.”