Eight-year-old Ella Woodward, who was inspired by a school assembly about the Australian bush fires, has raised £502 to help stricken koalas with the support of family and friends.

The year four pupil at Dunster First School wanted to do something to help after hearing about the fires at a school assembly given by her headteacher.

She took it upon herself to take action, and organised a bake sale at school.Neighbours, friends and family heard of her efforts and also asked for cake deliveries – so the family got baking again and spent the weekend delivering cupcakes, Anzac biscuits and Australian crunch, while Ella’s father also took some to work.In just over a week they managed to raise £502.73 to help the koalas and plant new trees for them. Ella recently presented a large cheque at a school assembly, made out to the World Wildlife Fund Australian Bush Fire Appeal, and was made school Star of the Week for inspiring others.“I saw pictures of the koalas on the news, and in our assembly, and I thought I needed to help them,” said Ella. “I had the idea to do an Australia themed bake sale at my school and raised £150. Then I carried on fund raising around my local area.“My dad is a postman and, because there weren’t any cakes left after the sale at school, we decided to make more for all the post office staff. My mum, Granny and my brother Jake helped me bake all the cakes.” “I am so proud of Ella," said her headteacher Naomi Philp. "Many of our children are becoming increasingly socially aware and environmentally conscious, taking an interest in current affairs and politics. “Ella has shown us the amazing difference one person can make, and in a relatively short time has galvanised people into raising this phenomenal amount.”Ella, her parents Hayley and Ian Woodward, and brother Jake, thanked everyone who donated towards the fund.