AN 80-year-old great-gran-of-four went from researching her family tree to asking for toothbrush donations, after finding a distant relative who is a trustee of a school in Uganda.

Joan Harrison, from Haresfinch, was researching her family tree when she found a distant relative and got in touch.

She later found out that Liddy, who lives in Scotland, is a trustee of the Uphill Junior School in Western Uganda, which cares for 300 children.

Former Central Secondary Girls teacher Joan decided she wanted to help in any way she could and is now gathering toothbrushes to send to the students.

Former PE teacher Joan, said: “I was just researching my family tree and came across Liddy, I couldn’t help being curious when I found out what she was involved with.

“Many of these children may never have seen a toothbrush in their lives and it’s something many of us take for granted.

“I looked into the school and The Uphill Trust and realised that all the money given to them goes into the school, the trustees don’t take anything.

“I realised that not only is it doing some good to some children who have very little but it’s also something I could help with.

“I’m trying to get 300 together so each child can have their own.

“It seems like such a small thing but I decided I wanted to help if I can.

“Where people would like to help me, if they can, I would be extremely grateful.”

The Uphill Junior School is open to children aged three to 11.

Many of the students are orphans, or have parents who are too poor to pay for schooling.

The charity is building another school building for them and pays salaries for 14 teachers.

To donate toothbrushes, drop them into, Wilkos on Cotham Street in St Helens town centre or at Marita Fleming florists on Haresfinch Road.