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The UK government is matching every pound that schools raise for Syrian children on UNICEF鈥檚 .

International Development Secretary Justine Greening visited Birmingham鈥檚 Somerville Primary School today, to support students鈥� efforts to raise money for Syrian children who have been born into a life of brutal conflict.

The UK government is doubling money raised by schools across the UK that are taking part in UNICEF UK鈥檚 Day for Change appeal, an annual campaign to involve school children in efforts to protect children in danger.

Funds raised this year will provide children and families affected by the Syria crisis with urgent life-saving support such as vaccinations, health treatment and psychological support.

Justine Greening joined students in a lesson on the importance of education during humanitarian emergencies before opening a fayre with fundraising activities like bouncy castles, raffles and 鈥榮ponge the teacher鈥� stands.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said:

Britain鈥檚 young people are more passionate about international issues than any generation before them.

Their fundraising efforts 鈥� like those I鈥檝e seen today from the students at Birmingham鈥檚 Somerville Primary School - show that they understand the leading role that the UK has to play in the world, and that鈥檚 why we are doubling every penny schools have raised for Syria on UNICEF鈥檚 Day for Change.

Together we鈥檒l reach thousands more children caught in this brutal conflict with lifesaving help.

Syria is the world鈥檚 biggest crisis and UNICEF estimates that over 8 million children are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria.

The UK has already pledged over 拢2.3 billion to the Syria crisis and, as well as supporting children with food, shelter and healthcare, has committed to getting all refugee children into education by the end of the next school year to ensure there is 鈥楴o Lost Generation鈥�.

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Notes to editors

1. The UK will double funds raised by schools taking part in UNICEF UK鈥檚 Day for Change appeal up to 拢5 million.
2. The UK Aid Match scheme, run by the Department for International Development, sees the government match public donations to charity appeals to reduce poverty in developing countries. The aim of the scheme is to give the public the opportunity to boost funding to the charities that work on the international development issues they both care about and generously support.
3. You can find out more about DFID鈥檚 overall support for Syria at the Supporting Syria & the Region, London 2016 website.
4. UNICEF UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow鈥檚 children. As a registered charity, it raises funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and lobbies and campaigns to keep children safe. UNICEF UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit