THE family of a popular teacher who died in December 2010 have continued to raise money for a cause close to his heart.

Tony Bartlett, who taught at St Clere’s School in Stanford-le-Hope for 20 years, was determined to support education in Kenya after a holiday to the African country in 2007, before his death aged 48.

In his name, his wife Deborah Bartlett and their two children Sarah and Simon have been working to build classrooms to benefit the poorest children in the Shanzu district of Mombasa.

The family have raised more than £12,000 of the £22,000 to create four new classrooms.

Mrs Bartlett, who works at the Port of Tilbury, has been working with a small UK charity, Better Life: Africa, the port and St Clere’s.

The Tony Bartlett Memorial Fund has been set up and many have already donated.

The school the fund is supporting accommodates the poorest children and readies them for high school or a job. The land it sits on is being taken back by the landlord and the school faces closure. But behind the scenes, the Bartlett family are working tirelessly.

Mrs Bartlett has been using her network of businesses to gain support. Building firm Jewsons has offered to supply 40 per cent of the building materials, while the Port of Tilbury and St Clere’s have helped. Sarah has also launched a social media campaign.

Mrs Bartlett said: “The children are wonderful and inspiring. “We have been overwhelmed by all the support.

“Hopefully we will be able to return to Mombasa soon – we last visited in March and the hildren are so grateful for the help provided in the UK.”

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving/tonybartlettmemorialfund