BIG hearted boys and girls at a Port primary have raised over £1,000 to feed some of the world's poorest children for a year.

St Michael's Primary have chosen to raise vital funds for Mary's Meals as part of their annual festive fundraising appeal.

As a result of their efforts, 140 children in Liberia will be fed for a whole school term - much to the delight of staff and pupils.

Learning assistant, Karen Kearns, who has been co-ordinating the campaign, said: "I am totally overwhelmed by the generosity of our pupils and their families and school staff.

"Especially in these hard times, when many of us have struggled and faced challenges themselves."

Before embarking on the fundraiser, the children learned about the work the charity does by watching a short film outlining where the money will go.

They've been colouring in drawings of their own blue mugs to represent the money raised and put them on display in the school corridor for all to see.

It was a family affair for eight-year-old Aubree Ballingall and siblings Braxton, five, and Summer Alexis, seven.

Aubree told the Tele: "We had lots of fun colouring in the mugs and learning about what Mary's Meals do.

"We liked raising money for them."

This year, the Bridgend Avenue school has almost trebled their donation with the impressive £1113 total.

Head teacher, Colette Wallace, puts this down to the generosity of people in the Port.

She said: "We usually only raise between £300 and £400, so we are overwhelmed with this amount.

"The donations have reached a total beyond what we could ever have expected, and after the UK Government double it, we'll be handing over close to £2,500.

"Members of the community who would usually use their local parishes as a base to donate have instead handed funds into the school, which we are so grateful for.

"We are delighted to be handing over such an amazing amount and extend our thanks to parents, carers and members of the community for their generosity."