A FUND-raising search engine set up by a former Worcester teacher is fast becoming a phenomenon.

everyclick.com, which generates money for the user's chosen charity each time they search the web, is now the eighth most popular search engine in the UK.

Co-founded by Julia Felton, former head of Physics at Alice Ottley School - before it combined with the Royal Grammar School - it has so far raised over £380,400 for good causes ranging from Save the Children and Cancer Research to Worcester-based charities Fresh Start Foundation (FSF) and St Richard's Hospice.

The site has been compared to social networking site Facebook and owners predict 2008 will see its popularity soar.

Last year, your Worcester News reported how everyclick.com was proving successful for FSF, a charity that supports vulnerable children living in the Gambia, Africa.

Charity education director Rebecca Daffeh works as a teacher at Christopher Whitehead Language College, Worcester, where pupils have already raised £808 via the search engine.

"Everyclick is an excellent way for the students to support a charity and make a difference," said Mrs Daffeh.

"FSF is aiming to build a school for orphans and vulnerable children in the Gambia and the funds raised are making a huge difference."

St Richard's Hospice has received more than £200 through the site. Tricia Cavell, hospice fund-raising manger, encouraged more businesses to make everyclick.com their company's default search engine.

"It offers a truly innovative way of raising additional money for us, with no cost to them," she said.

Elsewhere, schools campaigner Helen Donovan uses the search engine to raise funds for her daughter's school in Evesham.

In 2007, everyclick.com was named Hottest New Start-Up at the Imperative Digital Awards and co-founder Polly Gowers was voted Entrepreneur of the Year at the Women in Ethical Business Awards.

To find out more visit www.everyclick.com