They are called children but they do not get to enjoy childhood as we know it.

Living on the streets of Latin America, the youngsters' wishes do not centre around the usual Christmas gifts.

Instead adequate health, shelter and schooling are their simple dreams. And a Milton Keynes school has this week played a role in making those dreams come true.

By joining forces with Bletchley-based charity Toybox which works to improve the life of, and rescue, the street children, Bury Lawn Year 10 and 11 students opened their eyes and hearts to the plight of these overseas counterparts.

The seven pupils spent the last few weeks using Toybox's resources to prepare a campaign to promote the charity and its cause.

The culmination of their work came last Friday, when they impressed Dr Phyllis Starkey, MP for Milton Keynes South West, with a presentation of their project.

Dr Starkey told the students: "You have shown an awareness that we are all members of the human race. We do and should have a responsibility for one another."

A spokesman for Bury Lawn School said staff were delighted with the work, and hoped to make a long-term collaboration with Toybox.

Emily Fyson, a spokesman for the charity, added: "It has been a pleasure to have the students with us, and we are really impressed with the level of commitment they have shown to the task.

"Some of the young people that the students will be talking about in their final presentation are the same age as them, but with very different life experiences.

"Street children do not have the opportunity to go to school, play, learn or grow as they should.

"This presentation is a great opportunity for Toybox to spread the word in Milton Keynes about street children in Latin America, and we would like to say thank you to the students and the school for all they have put into it."

The work forms part of Bury Lawn's community service programme - a regular series of porjects to get students working with the local community.

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