KINDHEARTED pupils raised nearly £1,500 for Southend Hospital.

Parents, friends and relatives of pupils at Edward Francis Primary School, in Rayleigh, enjoyed home-made cakes and drinks, served by the youngsters from the school, at coffee mornings.

Pupils’ families donated more than 500 cakes and a raffle helped raise £1,493.68 for the hospital’s neptune ward.

The money raised will buy collapsible beds for parents of children staying on the ward, allowing them to stay with their children, without compromising the running of the ward.

Headteacher Gary Soars said: “I am immensely proud of the efforts made by the staff, parents and children in making this event so successful.

“Many of our parents may have experienced neptune ward first hand, whichmakes it all the more appropriate to be able to support it.”