A NURSERY school has raised a record amount of money to donate to charity in its latest annual appeal.

The Eden Nursery, at Rushyford, near Newton Aycliffe, raised £4884.20 for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (Chuf) at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

Staff and families at the nursery held a series of fund raising events during 2008 including a supermarket bag pack, sponsored walk around Hardwick Park in Sedgefield, a coffee morning and Christmas concert and raffle.

The bumper fund raising effort was inspired by the family of two-year-old James Hudson whose life was saved by medics at the unit.

When he was a baby doctors discovered James had four holes in his heart that required open heart surgery.

His family nominated Chuf as the recipient of the nursery’s annual cash crusade for 2008 and were heavily involved in raising funds to thank the unit and support its work.

Nursery manager Jan hooper said: "This is the most we have ever raised, it was a team effort between nursery staff, children, friends and family but particularly James’ family.

"We’re delighted to be able to support this charity, because its close to our own thoughts because of James and we like to help causes in aid of children."