A YOUNGSTER who spent a week collecting discarded loose change at school and in the street pocketed an amazing £55 for charity.

Twelve-year-old Cameron Polglaze-James, who goes to Roseberry Sports and Community College, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, raised most of the money by collecting coins that had fallen out of people's pockets.

And yesterday, his determined effort paid off when the school presented a cheque for £55 to Cancer Research.

Cameron, who comes from New Zealand and has been at the school for about a year, started collecting coins he found on the ground with the help of friends Billy McKenzie, Robert Cant and Leon McConnville.

At one point, he even attempted to devise a magnet that would bring up coins that had fallen down drains.

Word of his fundraising efforts spread through the school and soon other pupils and school staff were bringing him their loose change to add to his fund.

Cameron's teacher, Ruth Grieve, said: "As the pennies began to grow, Cameron said he would like to give the money to Cancer Research.

"Some of Cameron's friends helped him collect the money and each morning the boys came into school with small bags of money which they had been given from home as well as school.

"Every week the boys meticulously counted their money and watched it grow to the amount they have raised today.

"I feel these efforts are even more commendable given the fact that these boys each have very special needs of their own and in particular Cameron, who came to Roseberry Sports and Community College last September unable to read or write.

"Today, through the same effort and determination he has shown in raising this money, Cameron is now a fluent reader. This is a true reflection of his character."

Mrs Grieve added that Cameron had started another coin collection and had already amassed about £13.

"He has done very well. He is very shy and quiet," she added.