SHAKING the collection bucket around the streets of London has enabled three Bexley school pupils to help seriously-ill children take the trip of a lifetime.

Year 11 students Rachael Carter, Alex Mercer and Natasha Winter, all 16, from Blackfen School for Girls, in Blackfen Road, joined the London Ambulance Service's (LAS) entry to this year's New Year parade in London, and collected just over £1,000.

The money will go to the Children's Magical Taxi Tour charity, run by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers, which each year takes around 180 children to Disneyland Paris to give them a break from their hospital treatment.

Rachael did work experience with the LAS and as a youngster went on one of the trips while suffering from leukaemia.

The children travel in a convoy of London black cabs, with back-up from LAS.

Each cab is sponsored by a company, and this year's trip in October will have a Blackfen School taxi.

John Stubbs from the LAS was at the school to thank the girls for their efforts and to present them with certificates.