A global feeding charity is encouraging families to 'buddy up' for its Backpack Project for children in Malawi.

Mary's Meals is asking for East Sussex parents and children to fill their old backpacks with stationery and school supplies to donate them to children in need.

The pre-loved bags will be gifted to children in the African country who receive a daily meal from the charity, to help them get the most out of their learning as most do not have the basics items for school.

Since the project began in 2002, more than 500,000 of these school bags have been donated by people across the UK.

Head of grassroots engagement at Mary's Meals Emma Hutton said: "Rather than throwing away backpacks at the end of the school term, these items can be put to great use by Mary's Meals schools in Malawi. Bags filled with essentials given children there a chance to get the most out of their education."

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Lagia is 13-years-old and goes to school at Ngabu Primary School, she was gifted one of the project's backpacks: "I am so happy because I have received a backpack, inside I found a dress, pens and a hardcover book. I will use the bag every day to carry pens and books when I am coming to school."

Items that can be included in the bags are: notepads, pens, pencils, crayons, eraser, sharpener, ruler, pencil case, towel, shorts or skirt, t-shirt or dress, flip-flops or sandals, small ball, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and a spoon.

Mary's Meals was founded in 2002 in Argyll, Scotland, and has grown from feeding 200 children in Malawi to now reaching more than 1.8 million around the world in 19 countries.

Anyone interested in donating a backpack can phone 0800 698 1212 or visit the website for more information.

If you are able to drop off at the Mary's Meals office in London you can email london.admin@marysmeals.org