PRIMARY School youngsters managed to stay silent for a full 15 minutes to raise money for charity.

The children from St John's Primary School, Shildon, raised £1,255 for the Macmillan Nurses Big Hush event through their efforts.

This week, some of the children who took part in the challenge presented the money to the school's specialist support assistant, Wendy Marchant, who will send it to the charity.

It is the second time the children have taken part in the Big Hush - having been inspired by teacher Jackie College, who lost her battle against cancer in 2003, and Mrs Marchant's mother, who is fighting the disease.

Mrs Marchent said children in the nursery and infants classes managed to stay quiet for ten minutes and the juniors did 15 minutes.

"They did a fantastic job, and I am thrilled at the amount of money that they have raised. The support we have had from staff at the school, friends and parents is tremendous. I am especially proud because we took part in the Big Hush not long after they raised so much money for the tsunami appeal.''