Children who made smoothies, baked cakes and held coffee mornings raised more than £1,000 for a charity that helps youngsters in Ethiopia and Burma.

The pupils of St Luke’s primary presented £1,050 to the director of the charity Standbyme as part of an annual project which is linked to its international curriculum.

Over the last nine years the pupils, staff, parents and governors of the Canning Town school have sponsored children in Kenya, Ethiopia and Burma.

Each year the whole school community works on a number of projects in the first half term to raise as much money as possible to provide for the health, education, medical and social needs of six children the school currently supports in Ethiopia and Burma.

The school uses these links to enrich and enhance its curriculum and studying about Ethiopia and Burma is a vibrant and meaningful curriculum experience.

A number of school staff have already spent time in Ethiopia and hope to visit again in 2015. On their return they will share their experiences with the school community.

David Spurdle, director of Standbyme, said: “I am always amazed at the enthusiasm and hard work of everyone at St. Luke’s. They have been incredibly enterprising this year selling smoothies, cakes, biscuits and holding a coffee morning and lots more. The pupils here stand out as a school who take their role as international citizens very seriously.”

Jenny Parson, senior teacher, said: “This is an exceptional project which allows children to give aid on an international level and learn about other countries, cultures and people in a really exciting and relevant manner.”