WOLLASTON schoolchildren have handed over books to Acorns children's hospice as part of a continuing campaign to support the charity.

St James's Primary school bought a huge boxful of Usborne books for the charity which the school has chosen to support throughout the year as part of a massive fundraising drive.

Headteacher Sally Sixsmith said parent Laura Adamson, an independent seller of Usborne publications, was able to negotiate a good discount on the books - which were bought with the proceeds of a fundraising art competition and handed over to Acorns representative Tanya Fellows during a day of fun.

Meanwhile Mrs Sixsmith and a team of colleagues have pulled in even more cash for the project after completing a sponsored climb of Mount Snowdon.

The hike was a warm up for Sally's big finale to the fundraising which will culminate in an eight-day trek in the Himalayas, starting on October 25.

She said the campaign for Acorns, which has raised around £6,500 to date, has "taken over our lives".

But she added: "It's been so much more than fundraising - it's been about instilling lifelong values in the children and we've had lots of letters from parents saying what an impact it's had on their children.

"We've also got such a good relationship with the charity now and we've got so many people that have said they'll do something to support the project. It really is amazing."

Anyone wishing to give the school's fundraising efforts a boost can make a donation online at https://www.justgiving.com/Sally-Sixsmith/