CHILDREN in the Forest went red nose daft on Friday, raising thousands of pounds for Comic Relief.

Three Year 7 girls from Ringwood were determined to do something to help raise money for Comic Relief.

Scarlett Emery, Elizabeth Dadford and Josie Waddington each baked cakes and biscuits and took to the streets to offer them to passers-by for a donation.

They were also allowed into Poulner Junior School by their old headteacher to raise more money.

The enthusiastic trio collected £142 during the day.

Elizabeth’s mother Krista said: “I have to say I was amazed at how much they raised in just one day, having expected them to return with perhaps £5 maximum.

“I was so impressed with their efforts and having done it all on their own - planning and organising.”

At Emmanuel Middle School in Verwood fundraising superheros enjoyed their Red Nose Day, with many pupils opting to wear onesies.

They brought in their red nose-themed cakes for a cupcake competition and cakes for a sale at breaktime. Staff dressed as Where’s Wally, and the school raised about £700.

At Alderholt Sunbeams Pre-school and Day Nursery tiny tots and staff all wore red and some had red noses painted on.

Money was raised with donations and the children baked and sold cakes decorated with red noses.

Children at Hillside Community First School in Verwood had great fun raising money. The school was awash with red noses and bopper headbands, and the School Council, made up of representatives from each class, voted to allow children to bring in their favourite games to play at Golden Time and pay a forfeit for the privilege. The school raised £214, with more to be added from the sale of noses.

spokesman Yvonne Kemp said: “A fantastic day was had by all.”

At Ringwood Junior School Ellie McNair, seven, won the chance to be headteacher for the day, and pupils gave a sign language show.

Ellie said she really enjoyed fronting the assembly and reading a prayer she had written before handing out certificates. She also welcomed children at the start of the day and saw them off at the end.

The school raised £700 for the cause.

Ringwood Infant School pupils played silly games and wore large red noses and red clothes to raise £206.

Verwood First School pupils dressed up as their favourite characters, raising £270.

And Hale Primary youngsters dressed up, made cakes and invited people in to eat them, sold noses and had a bake-off, raising £525. Four winners each received a Mary Berry cookbook – Polly Keniston, ten, Tommy Gent, nine, Chloe Barker, nine and Milly Sidersin, eight.

Viv Artingstall, from the school, said: “We had so many cakes – whenever it involves chocolate and cakes we seem to excel. Sue Adams, who comes in to teach cookery, judged and she had a very difficult job.”

Breamore School had a mad hair day, raising hundreds of pounds.

Children at Western Downland Primary School in Rockbourne and Damerham all came in with mad hair, for a donation to Comic Relief.

A child in Year 2 also painted faces at the infant site in Damerham. The school council at the junior site in Rockbourne held a quiz and had a cake sale.