A HARVEST of donations will benefit charities thanks to kind-hearted children and supportive donors.

Pupils at North Primary School in Colchester were each given £2 to put towards a choice of three charities as part of their Harvest Festival celebrations.

The first £1 and idea came from an anonymous family at the school, this was then matched by another second generous family, giving the children £2 each to donate.

The three choices were Sanku, Against Malaria Foundation and Seva Foundation.

The first charity, Sanku, works to prevent hidden hunger with more than two billion people across the globe not having enough food.

Against Malaria hopes to stop the illness which is carried by mosquitos with tragic consequences.

Seva wants to help with preventable blindness by helping people who cannot afford the medical treatment they need.

The children then made their own decisions on where to put their £2.

Alan Garnett, headteacher at North Primary School, said: “To give without the expectation of public recognition is a wonderful lesson for the children to learn.

“And then for another family to match the donation and double the donation was humbling.

“I want everyone at North to make a difference through this special festival the children have.”

In total, £832 was raised which was donated to the three charities.

As a result, 655 children will be helped by the Sanku Healthy Child Project, 200 adult couples will be able to have mosquito nets which can prevent them getting malaria and five people will be able to have medical treatment to prevent them from going blind.

Mr Garnett added: “The Harvest Festival was a joyful occasion.

“Despite being in our classrooms and offices and homes, in the case of governors, a strong sense of community was felt, thanks in no small part to the singing of some great songs with powerful messages.”

Asiya, a Year 6 pupil, said: “I voted for Sanku because I have fasted before and I know how horrible it is to go without food.”

Ramona, also in Year 6 said she voted for Seva because she thought how terrible it would be to not see her loved ones again.