YEAR 5 children at Great Bedwyn Primary School are doing everything in their power to stop the poaching of elephants by being part of an animal conservation charity.

Four months ago, East Grafton resident June Pearson gave a talk to the school about elephant poaching and the way the that baby elephants are orphaned when their mothers are killed for tusks.

Determined to make a difference, Year 5 pupils and Mrs Pearson set up Kids Tusk Force UK, an organisation that educates children about the plight of Sub-Saharan elephants, and set about raising £1,500 - £500 of which will go on adopting a baby elephant that's been rescued in Kenya and £1,000 towards anti poaching charity, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

And on Thursday, this was achieved after the children spoke passionately about the topic, as well as making beads and fridge magnets at a school fundraising event, which also included parents, governors, teachers, locals and MP Claire Perry.

"The amount we have raised is just incredible. The children are so passionate about this project," said Mrs Pearson.

"The beads are an integral part of this project. A lot of times beads are made from ivory but these are made from clay and are far more beautiful than anything made from ivory. Each string of beads has the name of an orphaned elephant.

"I came to the school a few months ago and when I told the children that every day, 40 elephants are killed by poaches, they were horrified.

"They were also, however, so keen to try and make a difference and they really are in such a short period of time.

"The school will be able to follow the progress of the baby elephant they have fostered for the next 10 years and will receive monthly updates about it. This is such an exciting time and we have a very bright future ahead."

Kids Tusk Force UK are now official funding partners with the David Sheldrick Trust and each child involved in this at the school is an ambassador for the project.

Going forward, children from the school and Mrs Pearson will raise awareness about what they are doing and try to get other schools on board. So far they have received support from David Attenborough, Bear Grylls and some of the Royal Family.

The school's Sarah Richardson said: "The children have been working very hard on this project, including displays and artwork, over the last few months and have gone about it brilliantly.

"They were overjoyed to have raised £1,500 on the day, it was a fantastic effort and they are so excited to be adopting their own elephant."

For more information visit http://www.kidstuskforceuk.org.uk/kids_tusk_force_our_story.html