PUPILS at a Ryedale school have been splashing around as part of a fundraising appeal for Lent.

The children are supporting an annual appeal by CAFOD, the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales, to provide families in third world countries with clean water.

Key Stage 2 children, from Years 5 and 6 at St Mary’s RC School, in Malton, took part in a sponsored swim at Derwent Pool in Norton. The younger pupils were given the task of doing laps of the school grounds carrying a bucket of water.

Head teacher David Harrison said the children had also learned about the importance of clean water. He said: “The children really enjoyed carrying the buckets and it also reminded them how youngsters in other countries have to walk to a well to collect their water.

“Those who took part in the sponsored swim also did really well with some completing 30 to 40 lengths in half an hour.”