BIG-HEARTED pupils dug deep in a bid to help people in one of the most troubled countries in the world.

Helping the less fortunate has become something of a way of life for pupils in Years 8, 9 and 10 at The Deane School.

Whenever a worthy cause raises its head the pupils are more than willing to enter into the fray.

In recent months the pupils have given their all for Derian House Children's Hospice, sponsored a young girl for a brighter future in India, and completed a book of condolence for the victims of the September 11 Twin Towers tragedy.

So when the full impact of the "War on Terror" began to unfold before the world's eyes on TV and the suffering of innocent Afghan people became all too apparent, the pupils could not help but get involved.

Deane School head of Year 9 Martin Witter said: "The children have seen and heard a lot about the war in Afghanistan.

"We have also been through a little bit of the history of the turbulent country, from being invaded by Russia 20 years ago."

He added: "The children have no political bias. They simply see other people suffering, they know it is wrong and they want to help.

"Recently we have worked hard on a book of condolences for the US -- the richest country in the world, so the pupils decided it was time to do something for one of the poorest."

The school was contacted by aid organisation Global Care asking if they could raise money for displaced Afghan people.

In just five days the pupils, armed with an outsized soft drinks can as a collecting box, went from classroom to classroom to collect nearly £150.

"It may not sound like a lot by our standards but for people in Afghanistan sums like this can be the difference between life and death," said Mr Witter. "It will buy food and temporary shelters, the kind of thing we all take for granted.

"Considering the children have donated a few pennies here and there, it shows that a tremendous number of our pupils have contributed and wanted to help." DOING THEIR BIT: Deane School pupils, from left: Gareth Parkinson, Michaela Roberts and Shaun Holt celebrate raising money to help refugees fleeing terror in war-torn AfghanistanRef: J3618/4a