A group of serving prisoners has donated traditionally crafted Bermuda kites to students at primary schools across the island.

The Lifeline group spent hours creating the kites at Westgate in time for Easter before visiting ten government schools last Thursday and yesterday to hand over the kites to pupils.

Yesterday, inmates Antoine Anderson and Julian Washington were joined at Victor Scott School in Pembroke by Senator Jeff Baron and Prison Commissioner Colonel Edward Lamb for the presentation.

“This kite-giving initiative is another venture that Lifeline inmates have devised on their own,” Mr Lamb said. “The aim of all of their ventures is to give something back to the community.

“The kite-giving, in particular, is aimed at preserving our tradition of kite-making and to pass on this tradition to our little children.

“Inmates made the kites and delivered them to ten government primary schools and the children were very appreciative of this gesture.

“It was wonderful to see the interaction between inmates and the children at each school. We also thank Senator Baron for his support in attending Victor Scott.”

The Lifeline group was established in Westgate to provide inmates serving long sentences with the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the outside community.

Every year they repair and completely refurbish old bicycles — many of which are initially found at the dump — and donate them to high-achieving students as a reward.

Over the last few months, the group has been busy making the traditional kites during their spare time to deliver to Somerset, West End, Paget, Northlands, West Pembroke, Victor Scott, Prospect, Elliot, Francis Patton and St David’s primary schools. Mr Baron, the Minister of National Security, added: “I was again touched to see our young students smile while they held their new kites.

“I expected to see this, actually. What I didn’t expect to see was the smiles and joy in the eyes of the two inmates who gifted these children with the kites — they deserved that moment.

“When I pointed out the children’s smiles to one of the inmates he said that this will stay with them for a long time. I reckon he’s right. Well done to him — and well done to all of those who crafted the donated kites at Westgate.”