A weekly reporter’s mission to feed starving children in Africa has seen 5,000 meals provided in Ghana.

Ellis Barker, of the Newbury Weekly News, was inspired by the story of a local primary school teacher Sarah Gardner, who set up the charity Action Through Enterprise after travelling to the West African country on a sabbatical.

Ellis was so moved when she reported the plight of the children, and Sarah’s commitment, that she decided to help.

She raised £1,000, enough for 5,000 meals at 20p each, for the cause after organising a family fun evening in Aldermaston, Berkshire.

Newbury Weekly News reporter Ellis Barker presents a cheque for £1,000 to Sarah Gardner from the Action Through Enterprise charity

Said Ellis: “I felt like I had to do something.

“For us, 20p doesn’t seem a lot, but for these children it can make the difference between gaining an education or not.”

Newbury Weekly News editor Brien Beharrell added: “We’re all immensely proud of Ellis.

“This demonstrates the positive impact local media can have through our newspapers and websites and also through the personal engagement and passion of our journalists.”