By Charlene Kelly

ONE OF the world’s biggest pop stars has pledged her full support to a Fife couple’s fund-raising bid to save an African school from closure on Christmas Day.

Cher, best known for hits such as The Shoop Shoop Song and Just Like Jesse James, took time out of her busy schedule to contact Robert and Eleanor Wood, from Glenrothes, after seeing their appeal on international TV.

The Woods have been fund-raising for the Peace School in Ukunda, Kenya, following a holiday there last year.

The couple were so touched by the plight of the 130 youngsters, many of whom have to walk up to six miles barefoot to get an education, that they decided they wanted to help improve conditions there.

Their mission began with a personal donation of £400, which they handed to head teacher Jackson Gitonga to help pay for a new classroom and help feed the pupils.

Despite the couple’s continuous fund-raising and generous donations from locals and businesses, the new landowners of the school recently said they wanted to sell the site outright for £17,500 and have threatened to tear it down on December 25 if the money is not raised.

The news prompted the Woods’ to appeal to the wider community for donations, which led to an appearance on Sky TV.

However their despair was soon to turn to joy following the shock call from the 60-year-old singer/actress, whose career has spanned five decades.

Cher, real name Cherilyn Sarkisian, saw the couple on Sky TV and contacted them at their Finglassie home.

“It might sound naive but I never doubted it was her for a minute,” said Robert.

“I’m a big Cher fan, having followed her career throughout my life and read her autobiography, so I thought I would have been more star-struck, but she was so down to earth and easy to talk to I forgot I was on the phone to one of the world’s biggest stars.

“We chatted for a good hour about the school and I explained to her about the financial difficulties and how the pupils, some of whom are so poor they sleep in the classrooms, could be turfed out on Christmas Day.

“She was touched and very kindly said she would help pay the money needed to prevent that from happening and even donate some more to help pay for other much-needed facilities such as a well and a school bus.”

Cher is well known for her charity work and is an active fund-raiser for AIDS organisations, gay rights and is patron of the Children’s Craniofacial Association, following her role in the award-winning film Mask.

“The fact she wanted to help us out financially was wonderful but then she said she would like to travel to Ukunda herself to meet the children,” added Robert.

“I told her we would be going over in early December to go around the village on a horse and cart, dressed as Santa, handing out sweets and present packs to the children.

“She then said, ‘Robert, I’ll be on that cart with you’.”

And Cher delivered another surprise by saying she planned to bring another well-known Hollywood film star with her.

“I know who it is but I can’t say just yet because nothing is set and stone at this stage, but I am looking forward to meeting both him and Cher,” Robert said.

Anyone who would like to give a donation or buy a sweet pack for a Ukunda child should contact Robert and Eleanor on 01592 774206.