A group of Forest Gate school girls walked five miles across London to deliver a bundle of presents to children’s wards at the capital’s hospitals.

About 25 Year 7 pupils from Azhar Academy Girls School, Romford Road, collected books, board games and arts and crafts resources which they then hand delivered to three hospitals on May 19 and 20.

The lucky recipients were University College London Hospital in Camden, Royal London Hospital in Tower Hamlets and COSMIC charity which is based at Westminster’s St Mary’s Hospital.

The event was part of the Share a Smile fundraising walk, arranged by 1st Ethical, an educational charity which empowers Muslims to benefit society through faith-based campaigns.

The charity currently works with around 200 educational institutes nationally to help students become more socially responsible and active in their communities.

Karima Chowdhury, Islamic Personal Social and Health Education co-ordinator at Azhar Academy said: “Collecting gifts for sick children and delivering them to the hospitals was a very enriching experience for the students and staff involved.

“It allowed our students to connect with children who are less fortunate and taught them something profound about serving others.

“Our students have definitely become much more emotionally intelligent after this campaign and appreciative over the blessing of good health which isn’t always given much thought by the youth.”

She added the Share a Smile Walk left everyone who took part “smiling with a wonderful sense of fulfilment and humility”.

As a thank you, the hospitals arranged a tour for the students and play therapists from the hospitals delivered presentations.