Two schoolboys who spearheaded a fundraising campaign to promote awareness for Ebola victims have raised a whopping £1096,51.

Samba Tanba, 12 and Jamal Vitalis, 15, of Forest Gate Community School, appealed to youngsters to help victims of the deadly disease in Gambia and Sierra Leone, where they have cousins, aunties and uncles.

The school on Forest Lane held several events in the lead up to Christmas, including a treasure hunt featuring baby photos of teachers and bingo.

Funds raised by the #KidsFightingEbola campaign went to the Oxfam Ebola appeal after the football mad youngsters were inspired by West Ham player Carlton Cole.

The striker has started the Carlton and Selina Cole’s Carlakka Foundation with his mother, which aims to build a school in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Samba, who lives in Plaistow and has family in Gambia, said: “I have aunties and uncles back home in Gambia and I’m worried about them.

“My friends at school know about Ebola but they don’t know what is really going on. We want to get our friends involved so that they can understand how serious this is.”

Jamal who is from Forest Gate and has family in Sierra Leone said: “Ebola is a deadly thing that people need to take seriously. Over in England people don’t realise how bad it is for people in Sierra Leone.

“There is something being done but if we can also help by drawing attention to it then that can make a big difference.”