THERE was summer fun to be had by the bucket load at a charity carnival at Essa Academy.

Pupils at the school in Lever Edge Lane ran stalls alongside traders with the aim of raising thousands of pounds for international charity Interpal, which helps women and girls in Gaza, Palestine.

A fun day at Essa two months ago raised £7,000 for the cause and on Saturday students were convinced they would be able to beat that benchmark.

Mohammed Ali, aged 13, 14-year-old Aadil Pariejuala and Uwais Musa, aged 15, were in charge of hosting the tuck shop.

Aadil said: “To help charity is great because it means we come together as a community. Giving back to the community is very important to us.”

Uwais added: “Something like this is good for getting young people off the streets and it is great to see everyone having fun. We are hoping to raise as much as possible.”

Khadija Kaduji, aged 18, of Derby Street, Bolton is a volunteer with Interpal and was serving up karahi and biryani dishes.

She said: “We are hoping to raise a lot more this time.”