A PLEA for Hereford youngsters to help children in crossfire has been taken up by pupils at St Mary's RC High School, Lugwardine.

The year 10 pupils are responding to Concern Universal, an international development and relief charity based in Hereford, which is campaigning to improve the lives of the world's poorest communities.

Director of the charity, Richard Moore, lost his eyesight aged 10 after being shot by a rubber bullet on his way home from school in Ireland.

He told the pupils that, in spite of his injury, he had worked throughout his career to help children at risk and in need of support. Now the children plan to include his charity in their fundraising activities next year.

"It was a very informative and moving talk, especially about the Children in Crossfire. In the GCSE RE syllabus we cover war and poverty, which are issues the charity is drawing our attention to," said deputy head of St Mary's, Sister Margaret Gallagher.

The pupils' fundraising plans are in line with Concern Universal's aim to encourage communities to forge closer relationships.

"We are using global issues to bring people closer together and consider others. For a long time, people in Ireland have looked inward to themselves - but I consider myself lucky; I would rather have been blinded in Ireland than lived in Bangladesh. After visiting the country, I wonder what we have been fighting about," he said.

Mr Moore's uncle was shot dead on Bloody Sunday, January 1972. In May, the same year he lost his eyesight. His family's bravery has helped him to inspire others.