This fund, in memory of former Friends' School pupil Alex Ruffell, supports a primary school in the village of Chidobe in Zimbabwe.

Alex left Friends' School in 1998 and shortly afterwards contracted Meningitis and died on 30th September 1998 at the age of 16. As you will see from the account below by his sister Keeley, we and others in Saffron Walden have been supporting the Chidobe Primary School in Zimbabwe, through his parents Sue and Graham Ford, ever since, in Alex's memory.

30th September 2008 marks the 10th anniversary of Alex's death.

The photos below taken in 2008 are from Chidobe School and show the new toilet block built with money raised and the distribution of clothing and old school books from Friends' School. Do you recognise some of your old text books? Donations are very much appreciated by the staff and pupils of Chidobe School.

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.

Click here to see the December 07 update and click here to see the November 2007 letter of thanks from Chidobe.

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.

Click here or on the right to see letters of appreciation from Jacob Masuku the Headmaster of Chidobe Primary School, and from Alfred Mpofu the village Head. April 2007

An account of the Alex Ruffell Memorial Fund by Alex's sister - Keeley Ruffell

The Friends' School has been connected with the Ford/Ruffell family for many years now. Graham attended the school between 1964 and 1971, Alex from 1993 to 1998 and Jack from 1994 to 2001. As Alex’s sister, I was always fascinated by the fact that he absolutely loved going to school. Because Friends' is such a diverse place to learn, it meant that Alex had friends from all over the world. From a young age he had an insight into so many different cultures and ways of life which he embraced whole heartedly. He even had the opportunity to go to Korea one summer with former student Do Yoon Lee and had a fantastic time. As a pupil at SWCHS I also enjoyed my school life but Alex used to ask to board for the night which to me was an odd concept. After all, why would anyone want to stay at school any longer than they had too!! But this, it seemed, was the case at the Friends'. It was like one big family and he was incredibly close to all of his friends there. This was reflected in the aftermath of his death, when an album of his time at school was given to my Mum by his friends in addition to poems, songs, letters and cards. A tree has also been planted outside the sports hall in his memory.

Alex Ruffell

My parents were visiting Zimbabwe in September 1998 when we received the news that Alex had contracted Meningococcal Septicaemia and had died. He was staying with his friend at the time, having just started an engineering course at Cambridge Regional College. He was three weeks from his 17th birthday and living life to the full.

As a family we were extremely close and this was devastating news to us all. Growing up with Alex meant there was never a dull moment. He had a wit and charm about him which meant people instantly warmed to him. He was also a typical teenage boy, always looking for the next adventure with the ‘lads’. He was a loving son and brother, who adored his girlfriend and was loyal to his mates. Eight years on and his vibrance is sorely missed and our memories of him are greatly cherished and something we will always be grateful for.

We wanted something to celebrate Alex’s life and Mum decided to raise money to help a school she and Graham had visited whilst they were in Zim. The school is situated just outside Vic Falls in a village called Chidobe and from that first visit it was apparent they were in desperate need of financial help. The buildings were run down, the furniture shabby and due to the number of children and lack of indoor space, pupil’s had to learn outside in the African heat. The children’s clothes were tatty and a majority didn’t have any shoes. The only means of water was through a well. Whilst visiting I tried to pump some water through this and couldn’t manage by myself. Several children had to hang off it to get anything out of it!!

To date Alex’s fund has raised approximately £50,000. Thanks to generous donations from local schools, clubs and individuals participating in golf days, swimathons, sky dives and many other sponsored events we have been able to make a huge difference to the lives of the people living in Chidobe. The children at the school are certainly finding it a much happier place to learn.

So far with money raised we have built two classrooms (opened by my parents in 1999), installed a diesel run water pump which caters not just for the school pupils, but the whole community (opened by my sister Elly and myself in 2000 whilst visiting with members of SWCHS).We have also provided a security fence so vegetables can be grown for the pupils lunch without an elephant trampling all over them, electricity, a sports court (with money donated by John and Janet Pocock). We supply the school with books, pencils, pens etc on an annual basis. Our most recent purchases have been new furniture for the classrooms and all 350 children at the school have a new uniform.

We have shipped several containers full of clothes and shoes over to the village, which the children and their families are thrilled with. Given that many of them are orphans due to AIDS, they are looked after by extended families so money is even more scarce than usual. You will see from the photos that the Friends School caps are a popular choice!!

Four families from in and around Saffron Walden also each sponsor a Chidobe child to continue their education at boarding school, which is something they would never be able to do without this financial support.

Each time my parents visit Zimbabwe they are reminded of what a worthwhile cause Alex’s fund is providing for. This has also been witnessed first hand by several members of our family and friends who have travelled over to see the school. The local community are so grateful for everything that has been done for them.

We thank you for your past efforts in raising money for the fund and hope you will continue to do so in the future, so we can continue supporting the school in years to come.

Sue, Graham, Keeley, Elly, Katherine, Jack and Nancy.