A HAMMERSMITH fundraiser took on the role of Santa Claus last month when she delivered a new computer to an impoverished Bangladeshi community.

As founder of educational charity Pencils For All, Iwona Macalka, has spent the past 18 months fundraising to provide children with basic educational tools, such as crayons, notepads and pencils.

After several eye-opening trips to the town of Utrail in the north-west of the country, she stepped up her efforts and last year managed to drum up enough support to provide the area with a projector which has since become a vital social and educational tool.

Her latest endeavour has seen her raise enough money to provide a computer for the boys at the missionary run Don Bosco hostel, which she hand delivered over the Christmas period.

Ms Macalka, who lives off Fulham Palace Road, said: "I'm absolutely delighted we raised enough money for the computer, which is much-needed and is already being enjoyed by the hostel boys and the village children, who use the study hall every evening.

"Christmas there was quiet but joyful, the festive food was simple yet tasty and people celebrated with singing and dancing.

"Over 200 children came and we took part in some sports activities and team games. At the beginning the children sang their favourite songs and I had the opportunity to teach them a new one."

Ms Macalka, a teacher at Bayonne Nursery Schools in Paynes Walk, Hammersmith, is working alongside Father Pawel Kociolek, who runs the 400-capacity mission.

Father Kociolek's 2011 visit to the St Andrew Bobola Polish Church, in Shepherd's Bush inspired the Hammersmith resident to set up the charity and together they continue to help the disadvantaged children of Utrail.

Their goal for 2013 is now to raise enough money to provide the youngsters with adequate sporting facilities, which they currently do not have.

She said: "Pencils for All has a new project for the New Year. We would like to raise money to build a sports ground in the Mission. At the moment

the children do not have a proper place to play ball games and do sport activities.

"Instead they have to play on uneven and dusty surface."

For more information, or to make a donation, visit http://pencilsforall.org/