CHILDREN at St John s Primary School in Huntingdon are raising money to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, described by the United Nations Relief Agency as the worst in recent history. Measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, the earthq

CHILDREN at St John's Primary School in Huntingdon are raising money to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, described by the United Nations Relief Agency as the worst in recent history.

Measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, the earthquake has left an estimated 50,000 people dead and tens of thousands of orphans, injured people and shattered and bereaved families without food, homes or even water.

Three pupils at St John's Church of England School in Huntingdon were so moved by the news of the Haiti earthquake that they have promised to stay silent for a week to raise money for victims of the disaster. Ellie, Macy and Iman, all year five girls have signs around their necks to share what they are doing and they are collecting money at the school's daily fruit bar. Head teacher, Helen Curtis said: "They each have a set of Post-It notes to help them write answers to questions as they are all very keen learners as well as fundraisers."

The Red Cross, The Disasters Emergency Committee and other relief organisations have launched appeals and so far the British public has donated over �15million - almost as much as the �20million pledged by the Government.

The Red Cross is collecting money in Cambridgeshire. There will be a street collection in St Neots on Saturday, January 30, and collections in Cambridge City Centre today (Wednesday), on Sunday, January 24, Monday, January 25 and next Wednesday, January 27.

The Red Cross is looking for support from shops in the collection areas who would be happy to provide refreshments to the collectors, some of whom have kindly offered to collect all day to help raise vital funds for the British Red Cross Haiti Appeal.

INFORMATIOIN: If you are able to help in anyway, call Juliet Gamble on 01223 868684.

WAYS TO DONATE: To give to the Disasters Emergency Committee. On line at www.dec.org.uk/donate_now

By phone on 0370 60 60 900.

Text GIVE to 70077. �5 goes to the appeal and you pay your standard network SMS rate.

By cheque made payable to DEC Haiti Earthquake. Send it to DEC Haiti Earthquake, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.

Or you can go to any high street bank, building society or post office, quoting Freepay 1449.