CHILDREN at Cranborne Middle School have been raising funds and awareness of personal safety in memory of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

By charging pupils 50p for phone-tagging, and staging a non-school uniform day, the school raised nearly £250 for Milly's Fund, a charity promoting safety among children and teenagers.

Beat officer PC David Cromwell helped more than 150 children to mark their mobile phones with special security pens, making them distinctive if they were stolen, and gave tips on keeping safe.

The day was organised by Julia Collins, personal, social and health education co-ordinator at the school.

"I feel strongly about personal safety, and it is something the children should know more about," said Mrs Collins.

She found out about Milly's Fund while using the internet to research a teaching unit as part of her class.

The charity provided the school with a free video and an education pack to promote personal safety, which provided a great talking point for the Year 7 class.

Tips are given on how pupils can make sure they are safe in everyday situations, and what they should do if they think they are in danger.

"The idea is that schools and police work together with the national charity, responding to current events to encourage more awareness among youngsters," said Mrs Collins.

The fund is also behind a campaign called Teach UR Mum 2 TXT, which highlights the idea that children and parents can use mobile phones to keep in contact at all times.

Security and safety ideas for children, parents and teachers, as well as details of how to donate to the fund, can be found online at www.millysfund.org.uk