MAP-MAKING pupils from Sutton-on-the-Forest school, near Easingwold, raised more than £350 - in loose change.

The children built outlines of the countries affected by the tsunami using coins from their pocket money and savings.

And at the end of the day, school staff dragged a huge bag of money down to the bank to donate it all to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.

Anita Ranyell, school secretary, said: "All the pupils were so keen to bring in their coins, and we were absolutely overwhelmed by the response.

"Some parents even brought in jars full of loose change that they had been collecting for years.

"Seeing the maps of the countries involved laid out in the playground really brought home to all of us what had happened.

"After they finished, one of the classes separated the coins into denominations and counted them up for me. Then it took me more than an hour just to put all the money into bags to pay into the bank.

"For a primary school of just 88 pupils, raising £355 is an amazing achievement."

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, January 19, 2005