THE NEW Year has already brought new delight for the Macmillan Windmill Appeal thanks to pupils from Lytham Hall Park primary school.

Pupils have raised £1,000 for the appeal by arranging various events at the school including a non-uniform day and musical evening in November and also a special stall at the school's Christmas Fair.

In fact, they have been so successful in their fundraising the school has now increased its target figure for this year to a fantastic £5,000.

Pupils aim to reach the target by arranging a different fund raising event each month of this year.

This month they have organised a "silver metre of coins" when pupils will bring in silver coins from their spare change each day to build up a chain of money.

And for next month two pupils, James and Matthew Edgar, have arranged an Arab theme night which will be held on February 11.

Head teacher Christine Jenkinson said: "The children have shown great enthusiasm in thinking of ways to raise money for the appeal.

"The best thing is they have organised everything themselves and so far they have exceeded all my expectations as to what they can achieve."

The school's efforts brought praise from Victoria Hospital's deputy director of fundraising Elaine Fossett.

She said: "This is another tremendous example of the way children have rallied round to help the appeal.

"Pupils at Lytham Hall Park have been fantastic and we are vary grateful for all the work they have done."

The Macmillan Windmill appeal office is keen to hear from other schools or community groups who are organising fundraising events.

They should contact Elaine Fossett or Ramesh Gandhi on (01253) 303121.

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