Children at Beechwood Park School, Markyate, were recently asked to come up with some new ideas for fundraising for Keech Cottage Children's Hospice, which the school supports regularly. Inspired by a certain building society's advertising campaign, one pupil, 11 year old George Poole, suggested getting an aerial photograph of all his fellow pupils standing in the shape of his school's recently introduced, new Beechwood tree logo.

"On the way to school each day I had noticed a company called EPL Skylift in Flamstead. They specialise in the hire of powered access platforms," says George.

"I visited them and explained that I wanted to organise an aerial photo of 500 school children standing in the shape of a tree, so that we could sell copies of the photos to parents keen to spot their child, with proceeds going to Keech Cottage Children's Hospice.

"I was really nervous but EPL couldn't have been more helpful," continues George "and they even offered to reserve the cherry picker for two days in case it rained on the first date, which fortunately it didn't.

"Next, I contacted Adam Berry of Prêt-a-Portrait Ltd, the photographic company which comes to school to take class and team photos. He generously agreed to take the photo with all profits going to Keech Cottage.

"With Mr Packer, our deputy headmaster, I worked out where each year group would stand, so that the older children in their blazers formed the tree trunk and branches, the junior department boys in their green shirts could look like leaves and the girls in summer dresses could be the blossom.

"Edward, my younger brother helped to spread the word amongst his friends in Year 3, who stood in white shirts and formed the base of the tree.

"I think the photo has come out very well and I was fortunate enough to be allowed to go up in the crane," adds the enterprising George, "and I hope all the parents will buy at least one copy. I must also say a very big thank you to EPL and Prêt-a-Portrait because this would not have been possible without their support and kindness."

Mr Packer adds: "George has really used his initiative to organise this event entirely on his own and it's probably true to say that we have never managed to get so many children to stand so still for over half an hour!"