Children sung their hearts out and raised nearly £50 for the Southend mayor's chosen charity, St John Ambulance.

A collection was held among parents and friends after pupils at Edwards Hall School gave an Easter concert in March.

Mayor Nora Goodman is a governor of the school in Bosworth Road, Eastwood, but was unable to attend the concert because of her civic commitments.

She was there in person, however, to collect the cheque for £46 - much to the delight of the children.

Headteacher, Linda Wells, said: "Nora has come to visit us many times as mayor and the children are very fond of her.

"She comes with her regalia and the children probably know more about the mayor's role than most."

As Mrs Goodman comes to the end of this term of office, the children wanted to know what she would remember most about being mayor.

The sponsored parachute jump for St John Ambulance was Mrs Goodman's very rapid answer.

On song - the children of Edwards Hall School hand over their cheque to Mayor Nora Goodman

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.