A SCHOOLGIRL group has collected toys for sick children at Colchester General Hospital.

Friends Lauryn Oscar, Chloe Bate, Isabel Morath and Martha Mugford, all 14, raised cash by carol singing as their newly-formed group La Chisma.

The singers, from Colchester and Harwich, raised almost £150 carol singing near their homes in just three hours which, along with a boost from Smyth’s Toys in Tollgate, Stanway, allowed them to buy 24 toy hampers for youngsters in the hospital’s children’s unit.

The Year 9 pupils from St Benedict’s School, presented their gifts and sang to the ward during a visit yesterday evening.

They now hope to repeat the event every year and are even considering releasing a Christmas CD to boost funds in future years.

Lauryn, from St John’s, Colchester, said: “We decided to do it because we wanted to smiles on people’s faces and make the children happy at Christmas.

“We all sing in the choir so thought it would be a good idea to do carols, though as a band we hope to expand our repertoire as we develop – we’ve only been together as a group for about a month.

“Everyone has been so grateful.

“We would like to thank Smyth’s toys and also ward matron Lynda Pearce for allowing us to come onto the ward to present the gifts.”