In the pink for Haiti fundraising

Five girls from Pudsey in Leeds, from left to right, Niamh Priestley, Isobel West, Sophie Davies, Chloe Gordon and Kerrie Sinclair chose to run around their local park in their pyjamas to raise funds for the Haiti earthquake appeal.

By The Newsroom

Published 8th Feb 2010, 13:36 BST

Updated 8th Feb 2010, 13:36 BST

Their efforts on Saturday are among the latest events in the region to provide support for the victims.

In one village near Harrogate, two best friends decided to stage a coffee morning to raise funds. They thought they might raise around 200. However, the endeavours of nine-year-olds Ellie Phillips and Jessica Bassitt have raised more than 1,200 so far, with the sum still growing.

The event, held at Hampsthwaite Village Rooms, proved an overwhelming success with both girls, along with Ellie's mother Annette, also going door-to-door in the North Yorkshire village to encourage neighbours to attend. Mrs Phillips said that some people had been paying for their coffee and cake with 20 notes and telling the girls to keep the change.

'I am very proud of both of them. We have a very strong community here in the village and everyone has been really generous.'

Picture: James Hardisty.

Pudsey Leeds