CHILDCARE students and staff have donated £1,000 to help seriously ill youngsters after staging a series of fund-raising events.

The Stoke-on-Trent College students began raising money for the Donna Louise Children's Hospice Trust last year and organised a raffle, set up a bric-a-brac stall and tombola, and collected all their spare coins in class.

They also bought prizes for the stalls and took part in a sponsored walk around the lake at Shelton Park.

Maz Cope, child studies manager at the college, said: "I am really proud of our students for supporting the trust, which is a lifeline for many children and their families in the area.

"This money is vital for the hospice to continue its work and we will continue with our fund-raising throughout this year."