YOUNGSTERS have been proving the point that one person s rubbish is someone else s treasure by collecting unwanted items to raise money for a heart charity. Pupils and staff at Grange Primary School in Plaistow have been clearing out their homes and dona

YOUNGSTERS have been proving the point that one person's rubbish is someone else's treasure by collecting unwanted items to raise money for a heart charity.

Pupils and staff at Grange Primary School in Plaistow have been clearing out their homes and donating their unwanted items as part of the British Heart Foundation's Schools Stock Appeal. The charitable campaign began on March 1 and ended on March 12 when the pupils counted how many bags they had collected.

The aim of the Schools Stock Appeal is to help BHF shops that are in constant need of stock donations. Grange Primary School, in Suffolk Road, Plaistow was hoping to collect lots of bags of unwanted items to be sold in local BHF shops to raise vital funds for research, education and care services for people affected by heart disease. Every bag of good quality items donated could raise as much as �20 or more.

June Tumilty, area manager for London, British Heart Foundation, said: "Good quality stock is the lifeblood of our shops. The Schools Stock Appeal is all about encouraging young people to get involved and help clear out those drawers, bookcases and wardrobes at home."

Sue Carter, head teacher at the school said: "We are really proud of all our pupils and their families for being so generous and donating lots of good quality unwanted items for this fantastic cause.

"We have over 250 pupils in the school and it's amazing to know that each bag could be worth as much as �20, which means we could have raised as much as �5,000 for the British Heart Foundation." A pair of good quality shoes can help a Heart Nurse provide advice to one caller on the Heart HelpLine.

Six handbags can fund a Heartstart UK training pack to teach people what to do in a life-threatening emergency and nine books can fund an hour of scientific research to help find a cure for heart disease.

The charity is urging everyone to become involved by donating good quality clothing, accessories, shoes, handbags, computer games, CDs, DVDs, books, toys and bric-a-brac. To find out more visit bhf.org.uk/shops or call 0844 412 5000 (calls cost 5p per minute from a BT landline. Charges from other providers and mobiles may vary).