WEYMOUTH pupils have held a fishy fundraiser to make a big difference this Lent.

Pupils from St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School in Weymouth raised £250 to turn small change into ‘Big Fish,’ helping people living in poverty in Zambia.

The event was part of an annual lent fundraising campaign held by aid agency Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), who help people in the South African country of Zambia to set up businesses and earn an income.

At the start of Lent, CAFOD volunteer Bea Taylor visited the pupils at the school to tell them the story of Florence, a farmer in Zambia, who has been helped by CAFOD to create a fish farm as a small business.

Each pupil was given a large sweetie jar to fill with their loose change, in the hope of turning small change into a big amount. The pupils collected thousands of coins for the cause.

Mrs Taylor returned to the school on April 4 to see the pupils creating huge fish out of the coins.

Each class, from reception to year six, covered a huge empty fish canvas with the coins they collected. The canvas was laid in the school hall.

Mrs Taylor said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Mrs Judith Evans and school and staff of St Augustine's for all the support you have given to CAFOD's work.”

The money raised by the pupils will help CAFOD’s partners in Zambia provide training in fish farming, beekeeping and crop farming, as well as helping them with their business skills. One fish will help to set up a whole business.

Simon Giarchi CAFOD’s Dorset representative, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to St Augustine's pupils for joining us in transforming communities this Lent. By coming together and adding up all the small things, we can make a massive difference.”

Anyone can donate to the Lent Appeal at cafod.org.uk/Lent