Rotherham kids sign up to be pen pals

MORE than 1,000 children — including dozens in Rotherham — have signed up to be pen pals under a project starter by a stationery company.

Maped Helix founded its Pen Pals 4 Pupils Project to connect children in Years 3 to 5 with their peers in other parts of the country.

A total of 44 schools signed up, including Listerdale Junior Academy and Broom Valley Community School.

Lianne Fletcher, head of marketing at Maped Helix, said: “Having a pen pal can be really special and the friendships formed can endure for years, as many people of older generations will remember.

“The children will begin exchanging letters in the coming weeks and I'm sure they will love the experience.

“It’s a chance for them to put their digital devices down and to get creative, while building handwriting and English skills.”