A GIANT mobile phone signalled the end of a charity fundraising effort that has collected £5,000 for underprivileged children.

The phone was handed over to the Railway Children charity by Arriva Trains Northern, whose staff helped to raise the cash from mobile phone recycling.

Phones which were out of date and no longer needed were placed in special collection boxes at the train firm's offices across the region, including York and Newcastle.

They were then traded in to raise money for the Railway Children charity which helps house, feed and educate homeless youngsters who can be found around the world's rail stations.

Arriva Trains Northern contracts manager Dionne Grover-Jacques, who organised the collections, said: "We decided to support the Railway Children because of the brilliant job they do helping thousands of youngsters sheltering in railway stations, both at home and abroad."

Lindsay Gardner, of the Railway Children charity, said: "It is a fantastic way to raise money."

The recycling scheme is operated by Arriva Trains Northern's mobile supplier O2 in conjunction with Foneback.

O2 makes a donation to anyone's chosen charity for each mobile and Fonebak donates £5 for each reusable phone.