By Ben Clatworthy

Pupils at a Bristol school have come up with a novel way of raising money to help Haiti – devastated by the recent earthquake which killed about 200,000 of its people.

A 640-foot line of coins at Clifton College Upper School has been made from donations by pupils, staff and members of the public – raising hundreds of pounds for the disaster appeal.

The line, three coins wide in places, stretched from the school’s Memorial Arch to the Chapel and back again. The word ‘Haiti’ was also made out of the coins in the quadrant next to the Chapel.

The event was the brainchild of Fiona Hallworth, Director of Charities at the school, who said the event had been an “undoubted success”.

“Everyone has given some money to help make the line,” she said. “It’s a much better way of raising money compared to a home clothes day or cake sale as everyone is getting involved and wanting to give more to help extend the line.”

The majority of the 720 pupils at school donated along with members of staff and even members of the public who were intrigued by the idea as they walked past the school.

Heather Williams, Head of Marketing at the school, added: “We have an estimated total of around £600 – £800 but it will take a while to count all the money. Over 15 different currencies were laid down and every single last penny will be counted and go directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). With pupils from over 32 different countries at the school we expect lots of foreign currency.”

The fundraising effort was given an extra boost today by the the release of the first single dedicated to raising funds to aid the people of Haiti.

The song, a remake of REM’s Everybody Hurts, is available from today and features some of the music world’s biggest talents.

Music mogul Simon Cowell helped to secure 21 of pop’s biggest stars to take part in the recording – including Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Jon Bon Jovi.

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