Children at schools across the district have been digging deep to support a charity working in the earthquake- devastated areas of Kashmir.

The money sent in by nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools has now topped £12,000 which is an all-time record from schools for the charity Human Relief Foundation (HRF).

The focus of the work by HRF is on supporting 2,116 survivors living in a tent village in the district of Muzaffarabad.

The money from young people will be used to help the 450 children living in the village. Thanks to the donations, a play area can be set up and clothes and toys can be bought for the children.

Farnham Primary School, on Statford Road, collected £951.91. Headteacher Richard Edwards explained that the idea to raise money for earthquake victims had come from the children themselves who set up and ran fundraising stalls for two weeks during playtimes.

And to help illustrate where the money will go, representatives from HRF have been to speak at assemblies to explain exactly how their fundraising will make a difference to young people in Kashmir.

Students at Belle Vue Boys School also approached their teachers about raising money for the earthquake survivors.

Christian Bunting from the school said: "The kids came and said we need to raise something for the earthquake victims in Pakistan. Most people knew someone that had been directly affected by it.

"So we held a non-uniform day and ordinarily we would expect to collect around £450 but this time we far exceeded that."

Bradford Grammar School and Feversham College donated £1,000 each, Newby Primary School raised £329.25, Midland Road Nursery collected £146.31 and St Aidans High School in Harrogate handed over £5,000 for the project.

The charity is looking at ways that it can continue to support the families living in the tent village in the long-term.

Anyone who wants to donate should make cheques payable to the Human Relief Foundation and send them to: HRF, Freepost BD3125, PO Box 194, Bradford BD7 1BR or visit www.hrf.co.uk.

Donations can also be made at Barclays Bank account number 70554022, sort code 20-11-81.