SCHOOLS in Royston and the surrounding area pulled together and raised thousands of pounds for the BBC Children in Need appeal. Staff and pupils let their hair down to take part in the fun and games. Some wore their pyjamas, some sang karaoke, and some e

SCHOOLS in Royston and the surrounding area pulled together and raised thousands of pounds for the BBC Children in Need appeal.

Staff and pupils let their hair down to take part in the fun and games.

Some wore their pyjamas, some sang karaoke, and some even threw wet sponges at their teacher.

Whatever they did, everyone contributed to making a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK.

Stephanie Roberts, a sixth-form student from The Meridian School said: "Children in Need is a really worthwhile cause and the whole school got involved to help raise money."

The school raised £900 with a week of raffles, football tournaments, and staff karaoke and gladiator duels.

Maths teacher Will Scheilling added: "It's been good for the kids to see their teachers having fun and we acted like utter idiots all week - but it was for a good cause."

Teachers were also put in the firing line at Barkway Primary School when pupils paid 50p to soak sports teacher Stuart Snowden with wet sponges.

Barkway teaching assistant Paula Green said: "Mr Snowden was very brave and I think the kids had a lot of fun. They have raised more than £100."

At Roysia Middle School in Burns Road, pupils finished their week of fundraising by taking part in a talent show and sponsored pyjama day - and helped raise £347.

Head of Year 8 Erica Clark said: "The children have been brilliant and I think that they need to be aware of people more in need than they are."

Pupils at Guilden Morden Primary School raised £250.

The school in Pound Green, was turned into a 'Savoy Coffee Lounge', where pupils acted as waiters and waitresses and served tea, coffee and cakes to parents, grandparents and residents, as well as entertaining guests with musical interludes.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "The children did really well and were very good at entertaining the school's guests, while raising money for other children who maybe aren't as lucky as they are."

At Tannery Drift School in Royston pupils donated 50p to come to school in non-uniform and fancy dress and helped raise more than £100.

A spokeswoman said: "The children looked fantastic. We had a couple of Pudsey Bears and even had an Elvis Presley and Scooby Doo. We made sure that the staff gave lots of money too!"

Pupils at Icknield Walk Lower School had a wild and wacky hair day.

Head teacher Marilyn Jones said: "The different hairstyles made me laugh. The children had an exciting time and did really well to raise £199."

Greneway pupils also had a wacky hair day and raised more than £500. Activities included a staff and pupil basketball match, a teddy bear raffle and a sale of 500 Pudsey Bear biscuits.

Year seven pupil, Saffron Cooper also took part in a 14-hour sponsored silence.

Emma Daintrey of Greneway School said: "The children have done extremely well to raise such a sum. They understood how important the day was and were really pleased to be able to make a difference to children less fortunate than themselves.