Pupils at a north Norfolk primary school have been inspired by two classmates five thousand miles away to help South American children.

Brothers Oren, 10, and eight-year-old Brae Everett, pupils at Colby School, are spending three months with their parents in Colombia.

And their experiences have led them to launch a fund-raising drive to help vulnerable Colombian children.

The boys' lively blog about life in South America is popular with their Norfolk schoolfriends and one, four-year-old Ava Webb, suggested that Colby School might like to help their efforts.

And so yesterday saw pupils dress in the Colombian flag colours of yellow, blue and red to take part in fund-raising activities including face painting, nail varnish, cake sales, tea and coffee stall for the parents, and games throughout the day – all for pocket money charges.

The activities have raised at least £300 and, more importantly, given the 148 pupils an invaluable insight into the lives of children less fortunate than themselves, according to Colby head teacher Christine Mead.

'It's been a brilliant day. The children have been so excited,' she added. 'Despite horrible weather, we've had a little bit of Colombian colour here.'

Lessons also had a Colombian theme with carnival mask and costume making, and a chance to sample Colombian-style guacamole and rice pudding.

The Everett brothers' mum Hannah is a teacher at Colby School and is volunteering in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the charity Tiempo de Juego (Play Time).

It organises football clubs for children in a poor neighbourhood.

Older children who have been members of the football clubs for some time explain to the younger ones how to keep away from danger and live a better life.

Oren explains in his blog: 'Lots of children who live there have very different lives from me and Brae and most of our friends. They don't have water or electricity in their houses or doctors if they get sick.

'Also, lots of them don't have a dad living with them and their mum has to go to work to earn money so they don't have anyone looking after them after school and there are some scary and dangerous things happening where they live.'

To read the boys' blog visit: http://everettsincolombia.co.uk/

To donate to the cause visit the Virgin Money Giving website and search for 'Oren and Brae's fundraising page'.