DERBYSHIRE villagers joined forces to raise cash for the victims of the Haiti earthquake as prayers were said for survivors.

Schoolchildren, the Brownies and two churches in Breaston teamed up to hold a Hope for Haiti day on Saturday.

As part of the event, St Michael's Church in the village was open for prayers and cakes were served in the Methodist Church across the road in Main Street.

Brownies helped with the washing up and the fund was boosted with a £421 donation from Firfield Primary School, where pupils held a non-uniform day last week.

Lynda Irwin, who helped organise the Hope for Haiti day in aid of the Telegraph's Give Water, Give Life appeal, said people were moved by pictures of the devastation in Haiti.

The campaign, which was launched at the end of November, has already raised £130,000 for Aquabox.

Based in Wirksworth, the charity sends water purification kits to victims of natural disasters.

Volunteers have already sent more than 800 Aquaboxes, which are capable of removing deadly waterborne diseases including typhoid, dysentery and cholera, to Haiti.

They are now working round the clock to get another shipment of the boxes, which also contain essential welfare items such as cooking pots and tools, out to the devastated country.

Mrs Irwin said: "The vicar called me to see what we could do to raise money and I thought a day where all the community came together would be better than holding a few coffee mornings."

The congregations of both churches, helped by the 1st Breaston Brownies, decorated the churches with blue balloons to represent water and posters made by the youngsters showing pictures of the devastation.

People visiting the Methodist Church could buy a cake and a cup of tea or coffee for £2 with visitors to St Michael's being encouraged to say a prayer and make a donation between 10am and 3pm.

Eneth Goodridge, who helped sell cakes on the day, said: "We decided to do something after we saw all the children suffering in Haiti. People were trickling in all day, making donations and buying cakes."

Thelma Mortimer, who helped organise the event, said: "Everybody has been very generous with baking cakes."

Left-over cakes were sold at church services on Sunday, taking the total raised on the day to £1,323.65.

Mrs Irwin, of Breaston, who is mission secretary at St Michael's, said: "It is a great amount. People in the village have been very generous."

More than 150,000 people died in Haiti after disaster struck on January 12. Millions more have been left homeless.