PUPILS at Kelty Primary School have run up an impressive total while fundraising for Victoria Hospital.

Youngsters have donated more than £3,000 to the children's ward in Kirkcaldy, in support of their classmate, Charlie Hobbs, who attends regularly for treatment.

The nine-year-old has both epilepsy and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and suffers from daily seizures.

Mum Gemma Hobbs told the Press: "His teacher had asked if we had a charity they could raise money for, and we knew we wanted to do it for the hospital.

"The P5 class did a sponsored run and an enterprise project to raise the money, Charlie himself raised £1,240 through family and friends.

"One of the nurses and play specialists attended to accept the cheque, they were chuffed, it was nice to see them out of work!"

The Press reported last week that Kelty Hearts donated £1,000 for Charlie to help with the upkeep of his monitor, which observes his heart rate and oxygen levels throughout the night.

Charlie has been involved with the club since he was five, after being diagnosed with epilepsy when he was four, and FND just last year.

He can have up to 20 seizures in one day and relies heavily on the hospital for support and treatment due to there being no cure for the condition.

Primary 5 teacher Janet Acheson organised the fundraiser after her class raised almost £4,000 last year in support of Love Oliver, a small Scottish cancer charity.

"The kids love it, they made loads of crafts and did a sponsored run, the parents are so supportive too.

"The amount of people who turned up at the community centre – grandparents, parents, aunties and uncles – was overwhelming.

"I like to do it in the final term instead of a topic, it all depends on the class but if there is a student to support it is nice to give a boost to the child.

"We were so proud of the children and how much effort they put in, and so impressed with the support from the community."

The money raised by the school will go towards 'Treasure Boxes', which let children who have undergone procedures or have been in hospital for tests and investigations choose a gift.

They are huge, child-friendly wooden boxes which can be wheeled around the ward and are filled with donated toys and games for patients.

NHS Fife thanked the pupils on their Facebook page: "A heartfelt thank you to the amazing pupils, parents and teachers at Kelty Primary School for their incredible fundraising efforts.

"Through their Enterprise Project and some sponsored runs, an amazing £3,155 was raised.

"Mrs Acheson and Mrs McInnes organise the Enterprise Project every year.

"This year, young Charlie's family asked if the money raised could go to the Children's Ward at the Vic to help top up our treasure boxes.

"Charlie, who also won a trophy for the most money raised, chooses a toy or game from the treasure box each time he visits us!"