HARROWING images of the Haitian earthquake just over a year ago, motivated one young woman to set a fundraising target, which at the time many thought was too optimistic.

When Helen Lyne went to her headmaster Edward Marr at St Aelred’s Catholic Technology College a week after the disaster in January 2010, she insisted that she wanted to raise at least £10,000 to help the people of the stricken Caribbean country.

But almost a year to the day, since the disaster, she reached her goal and handed over a check to an aid charity.

The 20-year-old head girl said: “We discussed it and thought it may be a bit optimistic. But I was determined. I had watched the news and became really attached to the story. I felt compelled I had to do something.

“It may have been hard work, but exactly 12 months since it happened we presented the cheque for £10,000 to CAFOD, the Catholic aid agency.”

Helen, 20, admits it’s been a hectic year, filled with cake sales, raffles and sponsored events. She said: “The whole of the Newton community got involved, including Newton High School, which held a non uniform day.

“I’ve lost sleep over this sometimes,” she joked. “It’s been hard, organising events and keep people remembering.

“I just want to thank everyone who helped. This is the most amount of money the school has ever raised for one single cause. The pupils and staff have been brilliant, especially Mr Marr.”