Lewisham pupils collect cash, clothes and blankets for Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan

The city of Tacloban was virtually flattened in last month’s storm which killed thousands of people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

Year 3 pupils at St Mary Magdalen Primary School, in Howson Road, were so moved by the tragedy they held a fundraising cake sale and collection in aid of charity CAFOD.

While Lee Manor, Brindishe Lee and Brindishe Green schools teamed together to collect and fill three van loads of 80 boxes of clothes and blankets to send to survivors via the Red Cross.

Lee Manor headteacher Alex Bell said: "It is a real credit to these three school communities that families in Lee and Hither Green were able to help so many hundreds of families in the Philippines so quickly and so directly."

Parents and children worked late into the evening to pack thousands of items after Lee Manor School parent Yuriko Santos, who has friends in the Philippines, called for the schools’ help.

The 40-year-old mother-of-two said: "It was really hard work for everyone to pack but it was amazing.

"What they need is clothes rather than money.

"I hope it will manage to reach them."

It comes after Brindhise Green School teacher Amanda Reagen took unpaid leave to fly to Manila and lead a team of resucers and medics from Search and Rescue on a mission to help families in the Philippines.

To donate to the Red Cross' appeal click here. To donate to CAFOD click here.