A MALVERN playgroup has donated more than £3,500 to a school's fundraising campaign.

Malvern Junior Gym has given the generous gift to Malvern Special Families as part of Malvern St James Girls’ School’s 10th anniversary fundraising campaign to raise £10,000 for the local charity during the school’s birthday year.

The playgroup provides sessions for pre-school children at MSJ's sports and fitness centre.

Natalie Bennett and Jan Mitchell, who run the Junior Gym sessions, said: "We have heard so many wonderful stories about Malvern Special Families.

"To hear that MSJ are fundraising for them meant this was an obvious choice for us to donate our fees.

"We were delighted that our parents and careers were all extremely supportive of the choice of charity.

"We are a playgroup that allows babies and young children to be active and have fun and it is great to know that our fees will help other local children to do the same."

The group has pledged £3,639 to the campaign, which will go towards helping Malvern Special Families to support children and young people with disabilities and their families.

Olivera Raraty, MSJ’s headmistress, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Malvern Junior Gym has chosen to support our fundraising partner with such a generous donation.

"Junior Gym has been part of the MSJ community for over eight years and it is wonderful that they are supporting Malvern Special Families – another member of the MSJ community."