THE harrowing images of desolation and death across Asia following the tsunami have moved schoolchildren across the town to help boost funds for the disaster appeal.

Birchley St Mary's School in Billinge boasts just 210 pupils, but so far they have raised more than £4600 and are still counting.

A proud head teacher John Leake said: "For a school this size, the results have been phenomenal."

The money was raised through events including a spelling test and a sponsored geography test, where they learned about countries, devastated in the disaster.

He said the father of one of the pupils, who works at Saints, raised £200 after a whip-round among the players.

The school had intended to use the money to buy one or two 'survival boxes', containing items such as a ten-person tent and cooking equipment.

After more that matching their total, Mr Leake said he was delighted that they would now be able to buy more.

At Rainford High Technology College staff and year 11 pupils have been out in force with their collection buckets and raised £1,049.

Senior Vice Principal Ruth Halsall who organised the collection thanked everyone for their help, especially she added, the Year 11 collectors.