YOUNGSTERS from schools in the Dorchester area have been showing their support for refugees across The Channel.

The Dorchester Area Schools Partnership has a Pupil Voice group at each school in the area, which represents the voice and thoughts of their pupils and works on charity events.

The Puddletown First School group came up with the idea to raise funds for Calais Action, a UK-based charity that supplies aid to refugees in France and across Europe.

The youngsters invited in fellow pupils from all Dorchester Area Schools to join in a day of fundraising for their chosen cause.

They were joined by youngsters from Piddle Valley First School, St Mary's RC First School, Milborne St Andrew First School, Winterbourne Valley First School and St Osmunds Middle School.

Two further schools, St Mary's Middle School in Puddletown and Dorchester Middle School will also be supporting the charity in the spring term.

Joanna Stoker, who leads the Pupil Voice group at Puddletown First School, is also planning to run the Virgin London Marathon in April to raise funds for Calais Action.

Money raised by the DASP schools will go directly towards her fundraising efforts and, in return, she will be running the marathon with their school names tied to her back.

The fundraising event included a non-school uniform day, an assembly given by the School Council and a visit from local volunteers with the charity Blandford Cares, who had visited the 'Jungle' refugee camp in Calais.

All the children also made a spice bag, which will be sent out to refugees to improve the flavour of basic food.

In all, £110 was raised for Calais Action at Puddletown First School, with more to come from other schools.

To support the fundraising effort visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search Calais Action.