Couple invites entire African school to celebrate wedding

Sharon and David Hoggart travelled to Mombasa with 35 bridesmaid dresses and 20 page boy outfits for their big day on January 18.

The pair, from Pontefract, set up the school in 2008 after being inspired during a visit the previous year, and their young pupils are now such a part of their lives they wanted them involved.

Sharon, 42, said: “My dream was always to get married on a beach and now that we have the school in Kenya it’s such a special place to us.

“The kids have been so loving to us so we thought we would do it over there so they could be involved. We have seen some of them growing up and they get so excited when they see us pulling up on a bike or taxi.

“Dave calls them sponges because all they want to do is soak up information from us. They are just great and although they are happy with what they’ve got, I wish they had more.”

The pair, who run a charity shop called Little Hope to pay school bills and three teachers, have now begun a £15,0000 fund-raising drive to replace the school, which is prone to flooding.