Pupils at Ramsey Grammar School are raising money to help people and animals affected by the fires that have ripped through large parts of south east Australia.

Amber Black, aged 16, and Lucy Corkish, who’s 17, asked headteacher Annette Baker for permission to do so.

Amber wrote a letter to Mrs Baker about the cause.

She said: ’Currently, more than half a billion animals have suffered and died, one third of the koala population has gone, 250 million tonnes of carbon dioxide has been released into the atmosphere and citizens are advised to wear face masks.

’Since September, fires have killed at least 19 people and dozens remain missing.

’As the crisis continues, firefighters have been injured, lost their homes and lost their lives.’

Lucy brought the initiative of a local shop in Ramsey to the attention of Mrs Baker and urged pupils and staff at the school to help by taking in sheets and other materials that could be made into bandages for the animals.

Mrs Baker said: ’I was humbled and proud of the response of the students to the terrible crisis unfolding in Australia and am delighted that they have taken the initiative inspired by the "Way of Being" values of our school to do something to help.

’Many students have friends and family in Australia and are concerned about their welfare and are desperate to do anything they can to help.

’As Amber said in her letter, as a world community we should all come together to help despite the vast distance between us.’

As a result of the students taking the initiative, the school will be donating the proceeds of the next dress down day to one of the disaster charities and will be collecting sheets and other materials to help care for the stricken animals.