SCHOOLCHILDREN yesterday met a monk to hand over a cheque for more than £1,000.

The youngsters, from Ainderby Steeple Primary School, near Northallerton, raised £1,174 for the Mashambanzou Care Trust in Zimbabwe.

The trust cares for children and adults affected by Aids and HIV and provides schools, a hospice, an orphanage and home care.

Yesterday, four pupils presented a giant cheque to Father Christopher Gorst, who is based at Ampleforth Abbey, near Malton, and has worked closely with sufferers and their families in Zimbabwe.

In an emotional thank-you to the children, Fr Christopher said: "The most awful things are happening in Zimbabwe. People have no shelter and no homes. They are sitting on piles of rubbish because they have nowhere else to go.

"I am staggered by your efforts. I know how much hard work fundraising is. This money will be used to help all those people."

Mary Sturges, a remedial teacher at the school, first drew pupils' attention to the plight of people in Zimbabwe. She has been helping at the care trust for the past five years.

Last September, the children chose the trust as their charity for the year, but decided to divide proceeds with the tsunami appeal after the Boxing Day disaster.

Yesterday, they also presented local vicar Reverend Richard Glover with a cheque for £745.65 for the tsunami relief fund.

The money has been raised with sponsored walks, carol singing and concerts.