CHILDREN'S charity NCH announced this week that pupils at 500 North-East primary schools have raised £250,000 for its work with vulnerable children over the past ten years.

NCH schools fundraiser Jean Jones began working in schools ten years ago and since then more than 68,000 children have joined forces with her and NCH's mascot Cedric the Dragon to take part in Cedric's Challenge - a series of fun and educational sponsored games.

The £250,000 has been used to make a difference to the lives of thousands of vulnerable children, young people and their families.

Ms Jones also fundraises as part of the Stockton Support Group, is part of a carol singing group, and has contact with NCH's Family Centre in Hemlington, Middlesbrough.

She said: "I just want to pass on a huge thank-you to all of the children who have taken part in Cedric's Challenge. Each one of them has worked so hard and with such enthusiasm.

"Whether they raised 50p or £10, their money has gone to help other children who really need it."

NCH raises £1.2m a year from Cedric's Challenge across the UK. To find out more about about schools' fund raising or NCH projects, visit www.nch.org.uk

"Without the support of the schools we wouldn't have reached this quarter of a million pound total.