A SCHOOLBOY took on a challenge to remain silent for 24-hour to help children who have been abused .

Kamran Haibatan, from west Swindon raised more than £800 for the NSPCC - a charity protecting children from violence and cruelty.

The 10-year-old said: “I really wanted to help children who might need it, so I thought I’d raise money for the NSPCC.

“I found it quite hard to not speak for such a long time, but I raised more than £800, which is a lot more money than I thought I would get. so I’m really pleased and I hope it will help.”

Kamran, who goes to Even Swindon primary school, was sponsored by friends, family and the community.

His mother, Chantal said: “I am so proud of Kamran for his determination to help protect other children.

“He is bouncing about having raised the money, because we didn’t expect him to raise quite so much. It is a fantastic achievement, and his siblings have supported and encouraged him with it.”

Around 20,000 children attended Speak out Stay Safe assemblies in schools across Swindon and Wiltshire in the last academic year.

Community fundraising manager for Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, Caroline Morgan said: “We could not do this important preventive work, or offer services to local families out of our centre in Old Town, without the support of fundraisers like Kamran who help us keep children safe.”