A WEST Devon school has decided to support a disaster relief charity for its fundraising events this year after the tragic circumstances in Pakistan and Japan last year.

St Andrew's C of E Primary School in Buckland Monachorum — led by the school council — decided to make ShelterBox the focus for its fundraising events.

Over the year the children researched the effects of the flooding and tsunamis and how the people who survived tried to rebuild their lives.

One of the parents, who has close links with Japan, was able to talk with a few classes about Japanese culture, bringing in money, books and photographs for the children to explore.

Many events took place over the year to raise funds, including school plays, sponsored skips, bike rides, infant toddle and sports, selling cakes, open afternoons and many more.

The fundraising events culminated with a Japan day organised by the School Council.

Links were forged with the Japanese department at Tavistock College.

Japanese teacher at the college Crispin Chambers and three students spent the day at St Andrew's sharing their experiences, resources and teaching some of the language.

The day rounded off with each class displaying their work in the school hall and opening the event up to parents and the local community.

Julie Lampshire from ShelterBox displayed one of the ShelterBoxes, showing exactly what the money raised would buy.

The school council was pleased to hand Julie a cheque for £2,000 at a special assembly recently, which will buy three ShelterBoxes.