Fulford School staff and pupils have held a jam-packed week of fundraising activities in a bid to raise £5,000 for victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

The fun has included a Miss Fulford cross-dressing contest, a disco and a Little Britain sketch spoof called Little Fulford.

Pupils in years seven to 11 have also been able to avoid doing homework all week by paying £1 and today the entire school participated in a sponsored walk to Knavesmire and back.

Head teacher Steve Smith said money raised would be split between Unicef and the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal, and the school plans to develop a link with a school in one of the affected areas through the British Council.

Meanwhile, pupils at Heworth Primary School, in York, proved to be a gifted bunch when they staged a Talent Show at Holy Trinity Church Hall, raising more than £200.

Volunteers contributed dances, magic shows, juggling acts and gymnastics displays.

Head teacher Colin Golightly said: "The hall was jam-packed with parents, grandparents and all the children. They excelled themselves."

The Evening Press and City of York Council York Aid appeal for the tsunami-stricken areas has now collected £53,475.

Latest contributions include £882 from the Akash Tandoori Restaurant, in North Street, which hosted a charity evening and donated all the night's takings.

Manager Renu Miah said: "I would like to thanks all our staff who also donated their tips to the fund and to all the customers for their tremendous support and generosity."

Acomb Sports Club has donated £150 to the appeal from a raffle held on New Year's Eve. One of the clubs affiliates, Acomb Cricket Club, has links with young Sri Lankan players, who have visited the club in past seasons.

Several residents in the Ainsty Park area of York hope to boost the appeal further by holding garage sales tomorrow, with one hosting a coffee morning between 10am and noon.

The Old Boys' School, at Cawood, is also hosting a coffee morning tomorrow to raise money for victims of the tsunami disaster.

The event, which takes place from 10.30am to 12.30pm, has been organised by retired Salvation Army lieutenant colonel Joan Kirby. There will also be a raffle, and bric-a-brac and cake stalls.

In Monk Fryston, schoolgirls Emily Lowe, 12, and Victoria Finan, 13, have organised a fundraising event at the village's community centre tomorrow afternoon, which will include face-painting and cake stalls.

Emily said: "We saw a lot of the coverage over Christmas on the television and it was so hard watching people losing everything, so quickly. So we decided to organise the event."

Several Sherburn retailers have offered prizes for the tombola.

Updated: 10:15 Friday, January 21, 2005