PUPILS and staff from three primary schools and a secondary school have joined an annual event to support vulnerable deaf people living in Darlington.

The sign2sing fundraiser sees dozens of youngsters join staff from the Low Incidence Needs Service (LIN) which supports children and young people with visual or hearing impairment.

This year, Heathfield Primary School, St John’s C of E Academy and St George’s C of E Academy and St Aidan’s C of E Academy signed for a large audience in the Cornmill Shopping Centre over the weekend, raising £140 for SignHealth.

Staff from the LIN service run sing and sign clubs at the schools which are popular with children and staff.

Mina Kaur, advisory teacher for hearing impaired pupils, said: “It’s a fantastic way for children to learn how important communication is whilst mastering the skill of sign language, having fun and raising money to help improve the health of deaf people.”

The LIN team would like to thank each child for their enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to learning sign language, as well as parents and staff from the participating schools.

Shoppers were also generous with their donations and will be entertained with the annual performance in the Cornmill Shopping Centre next year.