Tom, aged 11, raised funds by washing neighbours' cars and saving his birthday money to fund the footballs to give to rural schools in the West African state.

And the children who received them were thrilled when the balls were unloaded — especially as it co-incided with World Cup when all of Ghana was gripped by football fever!

Tom, who attends St Anne's School, also spent time at a local hospital where both he and his mum Lesley, ensured the safe delivery of ten sets of baby scales and other medical equipment they had shipped out.

Funds raised in Buxton were also given to mend the mosquito netting in the hospital and start a paupers' fund for those that cannot afford to pay their hospital bills.

Mrs Wakefield worked in Ghana 20 years ago as a midwife, and was re-united with one of the nurses she helped to train, who is now in charge of a maternity unit.

Tom is due to go to St Thomas More School next year and his month long experience in Ghana will be invaluable his parents feel, for him to understand the inequalities there are in developing countries, including the basic conditions hospital and school have to work in.

But as the picture shows, Ghanaians put a smiling face on it all: "The one thing about Ghana is just how warm and friendly everybody is," said Mrs Wakefield.