Birthday girls raise cash for quake victims

10:08am Friday 16th February 2001

KIND-HEARTED schoolgirls Bryony and Anna Abbott decided to sacrifice birthday presents in a bid to raise money for stricken earthquake victims in India.

The two sisters, aged nine and 11, of Caledon Road, Beaconsfield, had two separate parties to celebrate their birthdays, both this month.

They decided to ask all guests at their parties to bring a cash donation rather than presents after seeing shocking images of the Gujarat earthquake victims on the news.

Eleven-year-old Anna said: "I heard that £25 will raise enough money for a hospital over there to carry on working for a day.

"So I hope the money we raised will go to a lot of good use."

Bryony, nine, said that when her sister suggested the plan she thought it was a really good idea.

The sisters' generous gesture has raised a staggering £278 for their cause, which proud mum Heather will be sending away this weekend.