YOUNGSTERS at Berkhampstead pre-prep school in Cheltenham found a special way to say thank you to a cause that is close to their hearts.

The whole school – around 90 four to seven year olds – contributed to raising an amazing £960 for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with a variety of activities.

They organised a school post office service, put on special drama and singing performances and ran a cake sale for parents and teachers.

Around 10 pupils at the school, in Pittville Circus Road, started life at the SCBU.

Five-year-old Poppy Sathasivam spent the first months of her life there with her twin sister Sasha.

They received specialist care until they were strong enough to go home.

Poppy said: "I know I was born at SCBU because mummy told me about it.

"It's a good place that does lots of good work.

"I'm glad we raised money for them so they can help more babies like me."

The girls are now in the same class as Archie Pearce who also spent time in the unit as a baby.

Jill Agg, head of the pre-prep, said: "Some of the children born in the SCBU are absolute walking miracles.

"Ten of our pupils started their lives there which just shows how common it is to be born prematurely.

"It was a great effort to raise so much money for the unit. It's a really important place which conducts life-saving work.

"That so many of our pupils have benefited from it directly makes it all the more fitting that we should support it."

Yvonne Pirso, head of communications at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foun- dation Trust, commended the youngsters on their efforts.

She said: "This is a fantastic achievement by these children. We are delighted with their donation and all the hard work they must have put in.

"The special care baby unit looks after some of the smallest and most vulnerable babies in Gloucestershire and it's lovely to hear of these children going on to such success.

"We'd really like to thank them very much."