A TEN-year-old schoolgirl set an inspiring example of generosity – by using her pocket money to put on a cake sale for Children In Need.

Year six pupil Charley Vickerstaff, 11, asked Whitebridge Junior School in Greensted Road in Loughton to organise a cake sale for the famous cause, but the school felt that in these recessionary times it was difficult to ask parents for money on behalf of yet another charity.

Undeterred, Charley used her pocket money to buy cake mix and encouraged her friends to do the same. She sold the cakes at lunchtime, and also took some others to shops along Loughton High Road to sell for her.

Headteacher Katherine Ward said: “She took charge really, and staff just had to do a bit of crowd control because all the other children got so excited.

“She asked some of her classmates to help, and some bought cakes, while others went home and made their own.

So far she's raised about £80, which we'll top up to £100, but then there's more money to come after the weekend as she took some to shops in Loughton to sell for her.”