KIND-HEARTED Greenock primary pupils donated their dinner money to ensure children in some of the poorest parts of the world would not go hungry.

Caring youngsters from St Mary’s already get meals for free but decided at their Christmas lunch to hand over the monetary equivalent to charity Mary’s Meals.

The gesture was made by pupils in P1-3 while older children also did their bit for a worthy cause by wearing their favourite festive jumpers on the same day in return for a contribution to Save the Children.

The totals are still being totted up but a tasty amount is expected to have been made for both charities.

Angela Guthrie, the school’s head teacher, said: “This shows just how wonderful our children are.

“I’m very proud of them.”

The Christmas lunch idea came from one of the pupils’ parents who has fundraised for the charity in the past.

Mrs Guthrie said: “Children in P1-3 already get a free meal thanks to Inverclyde Council but parents donated the price of that to Mary’s Meals, which was very kind.

“Those in P4-7 who do pay decided to wear their jumpers and make a donation to Save the Children.

“It’s a lovely gesture and it makes the children realise how lucky they are, especially the younger ones.

“The teachers have been telling them how much children will benefit from what they’ve done.

“The Christmas dinner idea actually came about from one of our parents who had something at their wedding where guests could donate at their tables and since then they’ve had information through from Mary’s Meals.

“A lot of parents also came along to help the children on the day and we are very grateful for the parental support to help serve the children and make it such a great occasion.”