FIVE young animal lovers who dedicated the last school year to fundraising have donated more than £1,000 to charity.

Olivia Smith, Teigan Edwards, Katie Warren, Luccia Irving and Rachel Meadows – Year 6 classmates at Dr Walker’s C of E Primary in Fyfield, near Ongar – chose the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as their school cause in September.

And on Monday (July 16) – after 10 months of weekly cake sales, ‘dress down’ days and a successful race night at Willingale Village Hall – the hard-working 11-year-olds handed a cheque for £1,135.84 to charity representative Martin Wakefield.

Olivia’s mum Lee-Anne Smith, 41, said: “The WWF don’t usually send anybody to schools, but they were so impressed that they sent someone this time.

“The girls all leave school on Friday and they’re all going to different schools, so it’s a nice achievement for them to share.”

The friends' fundraising success comes in the same week the school was rated 'good' by Ofsted inspectors.

Headteacher Wendy Myers said: "We have worked hard since the last inspection that judged the school to be satisfactory and feel this report summarises the changes that have been made in the last two years."

Click here to follow the Epping Forest Guardian on Twitter