THEY say charity begins at home - but one Five Valleys school has proved it can also start in the classroom.

St Dominic's Roman Catholic School in Woodchester held a charity week recently, raising just over £300.

The school's 103 pupils raised the cash the week before Christmas. "The week was planned entirely by the children," said Year 5 and 6 teacher Jon Millin.

"They worked really hard."

It all began with children researching and looking at pictures about world poverty and natural disasters.

Working in groups they planned a series of fundraising ideas including bring-and-buy sales, Christmas quizzes, mystery box games, sponsored silences and a 'hand tied up day'.

The class also decided to hold a look-a-like day for the whole school, including teachers.

It ended with the children deciding which charities would benefit. They decided to send the cash to Cancer Research UK, Oxfam and CAFOD and will be used to buy food, support, water and emergency shelters.