Sam EmanuelChildren from Firside Junior School in Hellesdon have raised hundreds of pounds for charity by bringing in bags of loose change.Sam Emanuel

Children from Firside Junior School in Hellesdon have raised hundreds of pounds for charity by bringing in bags of loose change.

Lewis Chapman, a Year 5 school councillor, came up with the idea as a quick way to make money for Haiti, and the school council came up with the catchy slogan 'Your change to make a change in Haiti' to promote the event, which raised a total of �807.23.

Lewis said: 'When our school heard about the earthquake, we all felt we had to help in some way. People on the school council were asked to go and talk to their classmates to get some ideas about how to raise some money.

'We thought of lots of ideas such as a sponsored walk or bad hair day but we felt we needed to find a way of raising money quickly. We are still receiving bags even today to add to our collection.'

Small prizes were awarded to the three children who had brought in the heaviest bags of coins. The heaviest weighed 8kg, which was worth over �45, and was brought in by a pupil called Olivia Keer.

Head teacher Simon Fisher said: 'I was delighted that the children saw the opportunity and took it so seriously. They did so well - it took us adults a long while to count all the change they had brought in.'