Six caring Saltus Grammar students have collected nearly $6,000 for charity in a remarkable three month fund-raising drive.

Danielle Brining, Emily Lattal, Jana Novakovic, Caty Luckhurst, Alyssa Cross, and Lisa-Jayne Metschnabel said they embarked on the fund-raising effort because they wanted to make a difference in the community.

Two of the girls, Danielle Brining and Alyssa Cross said: "We first made this as a fun club, but it progressed to raising money for the SPCA -- we really love animals.'' The students, all aged 11, raised $3,248 for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and $2,303 for the Hands of Love Ministry. The girls put together a Valentine's Day non-Ball donation drive where they encouraged people to save money by staying home and to donate money to their charity instead of spending money on things like a gown or a tuxedo.

In return the donator received M&M's or popcorn for their evening. From this venture the girls raised $3,983.

The girls have also had garage, bake, and craft sales from which they collected $1,890.

In the future, the girls plan to do more hands on work at the SPCA, help out the homeless, and as a new school year approaches, buy school supplies and give them away to children whose parents cannot afford to do so.

Giving girls: The six 11-year-old fundraisers recently presented two charities with the proceeds of their events. Pictured (kneeling) Alyssa Cross and Danielle Brining. Standing from left to right are Deborah Riley of the SPCA, Emily Lattal, Caty Luckhurst, Lisa-Jayne Metschnabel, Jana Novakovic and Fern Wade of hands of Love Ministry.