CARING youngsters at Tilbury's Pioneer Academy have been praised for their generosity after supporting Thurrock Foodbank.

During their annual end of year fundraiser called 'Penny Wars', the Friends of Pioneer challenged the classes within the school to gather as many pennies as possible from each class.

The class that collected the most pennies would win their class amount back to go towards a class treat at the end of the year.

Total collected by the classes at Pioneer.

The total amount raised was £375.06, with class 4C emerging as the winner by collecting £73.63.

However, the class collectively decided to forego their prize in light of families in need, opting instead to donate to the Thurrock Foodbank.

The Friends of Pioneer shopped for food items just above the winning amount and were able to make a donation of 53.2kg of food items to Thurrock Foodbank on behalf of class 4C and the school.