CHILDREN from Red Hill CE Primary have raised more than £400 for a charity supporting families facing bereavement.

The youngsters took part in a sponsored walk around the school grounds to raise £440.65 for Footsteps.

The walk was organised by Derek and Angie Ridge from the Friends of Red Hill CE Primary School and the walk was followed by a picnic.

Half of the money raised was donated to Footsteps while the other half went to the school's library, to pay for protective book covers to help keep books in tip-top condition.

Susan Smith, fundraising manager at Footsteps, said: "This is an enormous achievement and an absolutely admirable sum.

"These young people walked several laps of the school field and adjoining woods in September and we therefore feel it appropriate that their donation is put towards the cost of our Lantern Walk which will take place in December at Spetchley Park.

"We also will be walking through the woods with bereaved families, and now that we have received this donation it means we will be able to give each of the families a lantern to take home at the end of the afternoon. "They will also be making Christmas decorations to place on a tree in the grounds of Spetchley Park in memory of their loved ones.

We are so very grateful to Red Hill School for having chosen Footsteps to support.

"Their donation is very significant for a charity as small as ours, which is now providing direct support to approximately 150 bereaved young people from Worcester and the surrounding area each year.

"In addition, we are supporting these young people’s families and providing opportunities for workshops and activity days.

"It is only with the benefit of donations like this one from the local community that we are able to continue providing these opportunities free of charge to bereaved families."

The money was given to the charity on Monday, November 22.