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School of dedication

Ailsa Cranna
5/ 6/2008

THE boss of a hardware firm has made sure the memories of his father and brother live on by naming schools after them in remote areas of Nepal.

Former Stand Grammar, Whitefield, student Dave Jennings has dedicated two schools, one to his brother Philip, also a Stand Grammar pupil.

Philip died in 1975 at the age of 17. The other school has been dedicated to Dave’s father, Leslie, a former Whitefield councillor, who died in 2001 at the age of 77 after a brave battle with cancer.

Dave, 48, who runs Walshaw-based UAP, a hardware company, said: "Most of our company’s products are manufactured in China and India and when we decided to do something for the wider community in that region we chose Nepal because it borders both countries.

"We have committed ourselves to building five community schools which will enable more than 1,000 youngsters to receive an education without having to make a gruelling eight hour trip to a school outside their village. The first school we dedicated to the memory of my brother Philip who died when he contracted measles and severe complications set in.

"The second one was dedicated to my father Leslie, who died in 2001 after a long battle with cancer.

"The family thought this would be a good way to remember them both - and I think they would’ve approved.

"My son Ben went out last year to help open the second school."

A third school will open in September and the final two should open next year.

The work is being run with the DWCW Nepal charity, which provides support for women and children.

Patron of the charity is former Coronation Street star Sean Wilson, who helped open the first school.

Sean, who played Martin Platt in the Street, opened the first school said: "Anyone could see by the smile on those kids faces that it was going to make a huge difference to them."

It costs around £6,000 to build each school, and Dave welcomes support from any other local businesses towards the project.