INDUSTRIOUS pupils from a Runcorn school have raised two and half thousand pounds for needy children in Kenya.

Virtually the whole of the Grange Comprehensive School got involved to reach the cash target in just five months, leaving staff and charity workers amazed at the achievement.

"We decided to roll it out to the whole school because it was such a large amount and it just took off from there," said proud learning mentor Kelly Foley.

"The response was overwhelming. At times I struggled to get down the corridor because pupils were asking how the fundraising was going and offering to help. The whole school has done brilliantly."

Year 7s and 8s organised hugely popular sponsored walks in Wales.

GCSE students held a sponsored dance while young enterprisers donated profits from their fledgling businesses.

Budding footballers held a five-a-side competition, netballers took on the teachers and coffee mornings, bingo and book sales topped up the total, reached on the last day of term thanks to that old favourite - non-uniform day!

The money will be used by Paperchase's Shirley and Eddy Johnson to build a new classroom in the isolated, barren village of Kanani.

Eddy and Shirley, of Alexandra Grove, will deliver the money to village chiefs when they fly out next month on their 29th 9,000-mile round trip to the country.

To find out more visit thepaperchasetrust.org