IN A bid to make them more rounded people, a group of secondary school pupils are taking part in a special volunteering project. For the past three years, Dyke House School, Mapleton Road, Hartlepool, has participated in Make a Difference Day, involving year ten pupils acting as volunteers for the day.

The youngsters participate in events such as working in residential homes for the elderly, working with Barnado's, and assisting with special needs support groups, helping them with horse riding lessons.

Donna Harrison, one of the events organisers at the school, said: "The event gives the children self esteem and helps make them more rounded people.

"Before the event, children are unaware of many of the voluntary organisations that exist and are unsure of what work they do. The event gives them the knowledge of what is available and how it can help other people.

"We often find after they have taken part in their voluntary task, the children stay on at the organisation and help out. A number of pupils are helping out at local residential homes reading to the elderly people, or are helping out in neighbours gardens.

As this year is the start of the new millennium and also because the event is so popular with pupils, it has been made extra special by involving pupils and organisations in a two-day event.

More than 200 pupils, 20 staff, and more than 40 organisations took part in the event.

Ms Harrison said: "It is really heart-warming because we get good feedback from the pupils who have taken part, who tell us how much they have enjoyed it."

As a "thank you" to all the pupils who took part, a special celebration event is taking place today at the town's Historic Quay, when all of the pupils involved in the event will receive certificates presented to them by Galaxy Radio presenters.

The event was also nominated for the Pride in Hartlepool Awards 2000