A representative of the HSBC Bank has presented St. Mary's School, Menston, with a cheque for £3,000 to support the school's work in South Africa.

Over the past two years, St. Mary's, Menston has developed an exciting partnership with Mnyakanya School in the rural and desperately poor Nkandla district of Kwa Zulu Natal.

The two schools refer to their work as the Bambisanani Partnership.

Bambisanani is the Zulu word meaning 'working hand in hand' which encapsulates the vision of the initiative.

The work of the two schools, which uses sport as a major catalyst to promote education, health and leadership, has gained international acclaim, with Thora Jacobs of the British Council in South Africa describing the work as "inspirational".

Last year the HSBC Global Education Trust invited Mr David Geldart, Assistant Headteacher from St Mary's to speak at it's annual conference on the school's work in South Africa.

The two schools have developed an ambitious programme that will get more pupils into schools (particularly Aids orphans), provide much needed equipment, train teachers and sports coaches and develop leadership skills in young people.

This March, a group of three staff and nine students from St. Mary's will visit South Africa and will be engaged in a range of community initiatives, including coaching sport, teaching other classes, training sport coaches, training teachers and most significantly engaging in joint leadership training activities which will culminate in students from both schools planning and delivering the first ever sports festival in the area.

Mr Mick Russell, HSBC Premier Manager said: "HSBC Bank is committed to supporting both national and international projects such as the Bambisanani project.

"The work and effort that David Geldart and St. Mary's have made illustrates their dedication and HSBC Bank is happy to add its support."