Schoolchildren raise Haiti funds

Haitian families in downtown Port-au-Prince

ShelterBoxes are the fundraising aim for Manx schoolchildren

Schools in the Isle of Man are organising events to help raise money for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

At Scoill Vallajeelt, £1,000 was initially raised - enough for two ShelterBoxes for those who have been left homeless.

Pupils are now planning more activities including cake stalls, raffles and sponsored skipping.

Peel Clothworkers, Queen Elizabeth II, Laxey School and Sulby Primary school are also raiding funds.

'Exceeded target'

Adrian Shorthouse, headteacher at Scoill Vallajeelt, said: "I am delighted that we have exceeded our target through the generosity of our caring community."

Peel Clothworkers' School plans to raise funds to purchase a ShelterBox, which contains a tent, water purifying tablets, a mosquito net, a stove, cooking equipment, a ground sheet, blankets and children's games.

At Laxey School a bring and buy is planned and Sulby Primary School pupils are making bracelets to sell, while there will be a concert at Queen Elizabeth II High School.

Other schools are planning variations on dress down days or holding sponsored walks, in line with the island effort to walk 1,100 miles (1,770 km), the equivalent to the coastline of Haiti.

The Isle of Man's Overseas Aid Committee has donated £60,000 towards the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).