Local Schools In 'Phones4Africa' Campaign

8.35.54pm GMT Tue 5th Dec 2006

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt, today praised Tenbury High School and Hanley Castle High School for offering to take up his challenge to collect old and unwanted mobile phones for Africa this Christmas.

The scheme, originally launched by All Party Parliamentary Campaign Groups in Westminster, encouraged MPs, Peers and individuals to donate their old phones to help protect the environment and improve mobile communications in African nations.

Richard Burt said: "I heard about the campaign in Westminster and thought it would be a great idea to encourage students in the county to donate any old phones they might have kept in the run up to Christmas. I am delighted that Tenbury High and Hanley Castle High have taken up my challenge and agreed to organise a collection in school.

"At least 75% of us own a mobile phone and every hour 1712 mobile phones are upgraded in the UK alone. Despite having a lifespan of 10 years we usually keep them for 18 months on average. Africans do not have the same luxury.

"If all mobile-users in the UK threw their old phones in the bin we'd be land filling £650,000 worth of silver a year, not to mention the toxic chemicals that would leak into the environment."

Anyone who wants to support the Phones4Africa campaign can send their unwanted mobiles free of charge to - FREEPOST Fonebak Vodafone Africa.