Village schoolchildren adopt fire-ravaged koala bears Down Under

Pupils at Caton St Paul's have adopted their very own koala bears

Pupils had been learning all about the country as part of Australia Day celebrations and ended up adopting the injured or orphaned creatures.

Acting headteacher Sarah Sanderson said: “The children loved learning about the culture, the landscape, the climate and the diverse wildlife.

They learnt how temperatures can get beyond 50 degrees Celsius in the outback, and how, devastating bush fires have spread across the country.

“On hearing this sad news, many of the children have felt compelled to help.”

Eight year old Maisie Riley was so moved by a programme she saw about an elderly woman rescuing the koala and wanted to help.She told her class and schoolchums rallied round.

Sarah said “Each class chose to sponsor a koala bear, with money that they had raised in school.

“The children wanted to raise money to help the wonderful work undertaken at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital in New South Wales.

“The school hopes that their efforts will support in the recovery of the very badly burned animals.”

Maisie said: “After watching the programme, I really wanted to help.”