Lessons about the Victorian era have led to children raising £298.99 for a charity with Victorian links.

Pupils from Henry Bloom Noble Primary School have raised money towards the charity Barnardo’s, after they discovered its founder had helped vulnerable children during the Victorian times.

Teacher Carole Jones, said: ’My class of year 5/6 [aged between nine and 11 years old] have been studying about the Victorians and we have also read a story set in Victorian times called, "Street Child".

’The story was about a young boy who was homeless after escaping from the workhouse before eventually being saved by Dr Thomas Barnardo.

’As a result of the story, the children wanted to research more about Barnardo and spent time doing so. They then asked if they could raise money for the charity and after a discussions came up with a cake sale.

’Children from all year groups brought in cakes they had made at home or bought and we sold them. The sale lasted most of the day and they raised an amazing amount of £298.99.’

Dr Barnardo, who was born in Dublin in 1845, created a school in the East End of London for destitute children to receive a basic education in 1867.

His charity expanded to 96 homes with more than 8,500 children being cared for by the time he died in 1905.