TWO schoolchildren from Bolton have been doing their bit for the community with a ‘fiver’ challenge.

The idea is to turn £5 into something special.

So nine-year-old twins Clara and Oliver Yates challenged themselves to turn tin cans into cash for the homeless charity, Emmaus.

Their idea to paint and sell the tin cans came after the family became involved in a local litter picking group, The Litter Pickers of North Bolton.

Not only did they want to raise money for charity but wanted to do something to help promote recycling at the same time.

The twins managed to sell 115 cans in their task, and raised £172.50.

Clara and Oliver, from Bromley Cross, also managed to raise a generous £240 by taking part in a sponsored swim where all their donations will also go to Emmaus.

The money the children raised will go directly to the homeless charity, in particular to help their garden centre that has recently opened.

Nina Rudnick, manager at Emmaus Bolton, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant for young people to be involved and want to help and support us. It’s really inspiring.

“The money goes a long way in helping Emmaus, we can't thank Clara and Oliver enough.”

Helena Yates, the children’s mum, said they learned a lot about homelessness through the challenge.

She said: “They like that it is helping the less fortunate.

"When we go to town and see people sitting there, we know that here at Emmaus they’re looking after them, housing them and encouraging them to have a job.”

Clara and Oliver said they had a lot of fun doing the challenge and have plans to do more for the charity in the future.