Children from Liden Primary School are singing and signing Friends Forever to raise money to help vulnerable deaf children and adults.

The pupils are taking part in sign2sing, an annual fundraising event from the Deaf Health Charity SignHealth.

Thousands of schools, businesses and other organisations take part, getting an introduction to sign language through music.

They have been learning a specially written song with signs, performing during sign2sing week – which ran until Sunday.

“We’re so excited to be taking part,” said Liden’s head teacher Jeff Mason.

“It’s a fantastic way for children to learn how important communication is while having fun mastering a little sign language and raising money to help improve the health of deaf people.”

Money raised by those taking part in sign2sing is used by SignHealth to improve the health and wellbeing of deaf people throughout the UK.

Deaf children, on average, leave school with a low reading age and miss out on the key messages about healthy relationships given through mainstream media and by word-of-mouth.

SignHealth run workshops for deaf children in schools, delivered by deaf people in sign language, which help children understand what abuse is and what to do if they need help.

“Learning a few words and greeting signs in sign language is easy to do and great fun,” said Susie Norbury, SignHealth’s director of fundraising.

“The more that children learn to sign, the more included and less isolated deaf children will be. And the money this event raises is vital so we can continue to trying to give deaf children the chance of a life as healthy as their hearing friends.”