A CHARITY committee with a difference is presided over by primary pupils and has raised hundreds of pounds for good causes.

Launched in September, a heart-warming initiative at the Federation of Abbey Schools is encouraging youngsters to learn more about the value of giving.

An inspired governor established the school’s charity committee in the hope of allowing children to play a part in decision making while contributing positively to the community.

With eight junior pupils driving it forward, the committee has already raised more than £600 for Macmillan Cancer Care with a cake sale and is now preparing for a festive fundraising push.

Having been encouraged to learn more about good causes and the work that charities do, the children have chosen four organisations to benefit from their efforts – Macmillan, the Butterwick Children’s Hospice, Meningitis Now and Age UK.

The pupils had a variety of reasons for supporting each cause, from being touched by the plight of isolated elderly people to having family members and friends whose siblings required hospice care or who had suffered with meningitis or cancer.

Supported by teachers and governors, they have rallied their families and fellow pupils together in a fundraising drive that is gathering valuable funds while helping to teach them about the importance of charities.

The project also sees charity representatives visit pupils to offer an insight into their work and how their donations are used.

This week, youngsters handed over a cheque for £680.18 to a representative for Macmillan Cancer Care during an educational visit that left pupils knowing more about how those with cancer are supported.

Rita Hall, the governor who spearheaded the committee, said: “We wanted to develop a more cohesive approach to our charitable activities.

“We’ve had the children choose which charities they want to support this academic year and at first they were energised by this through being involved in what they see as regular business meetings and coming up with ideas.

“But then as the weeks have gone by, they have started to realise that the committee is not just about raising money but about understanding what charities do for people less fortunate than them. It is an important lesson and it has been wonderful to see them learn.”

The school’s next event will be a Reindeer Parade on Friday, December 14 in aid of the Butterwick Hospice.Youngsters will don festive guises and enjoy Christmas music before a special guest joins them for a morning of fun. Next term, they will channel their activities into supporting older people locally.