Hand up: Groote Schuur residence students find that a coat of paint goes a long way to forging new friendships at St George's Home for Girls.

A mysterious donor provided the means for the generous students of Groote Schuur residence to give back to the community, and they turned up in numbers to treat the St George's Home for Girls to a new coat of paint.

Buoyed by enthusiasm, they also painted the jungle gym and hosted a braai for the children.

The Wynberg-based children's home accommodates and provides for about 40 abused, abandoned, neglected or orphaned children. Zanele Madadasana, Groote Schuur head student, said the project has been one of the residence's most memorable achievements.

"We went bigger this year, considering the budget constraints and the amount of work that needed to be done," she said.

The "Elephants", as the students in Groote Schuur are affectionately known, spent the whole day working at St George's, thanks to their mysterious benefactor. Fedics Food Services provided the food, drinks and braai charcoal.