PUPILS from a Bradford primary school have been honoured after raising more than £1,600 for charity.

Children at St Matthew’s CE Primary School in West Bowling held a sponsored read earlier this month in aid of the READ Foundation, and raised a record £1,630.

Dependent on their age, children had to read a book or a page to raise cash from family and friends.

The eight pupils who raised the most money were recognised with prizes at an assembly this week.

They were Zahra Ellahi, Kamran Rashid, Hasnain Ul-Haque, Muhammad Huzaifah, Aleena Ali, Ayana Younis, Eesah Younis and Mikaeel Younis.

The money raised will help provide education to children living in poverty in Pakistan.

Kay Remmer, headteacher, said: “The children have really taken the READ Foundation project to heart.

“We are delighted with the amount of sponsorship money they have raised.

“It’s great to think our children are supporting the education of less fortunate children, reading for pleasure and for the greater good.”

School governor Afsheen Kauser added: “We are very fortunate in this country that our children have access to a great education system that gives our children the knowledge and skills to go onto high school and then to university or employment.

"The Governors chose the READ Foundation because it supports children who do to have those opportunities.”

Susan Chorlton, Key Stage 1 English Co-ordinator, said: “The children really wanted to help other children receive an education after we explained what the READ Foundation does to help poor children.

"The charity spends £260 per child so our families have raised enough to sponsor five children.”