PUPILS held an Australian Day to raise hundreds of pounds for the bushfire relief effort.

Youngsters at St Oswald’s School in Guiseley came to class in non-uniform and brought in donations, raising £476. Children also learnt about Australia during the daylong event at the end of January.

Teacher Lauren Rigby said: “The children learnt about the bush fires in Australia and the effect it has had on the country. In each of the pictures they used colours on the drawings of the Australian animals to signify the devastation that the bush fires have caused. The school kitchen provided an Australian Day themed lunch with Anzac biscuits which went down a treat. It was great to see so many children on board and supporting this cause to raise as much money as they did.”

The bushfires have raged for months, claiming more than 30 lives and destroying thousands of homes.