SCOUTS have stayed awake to raise hundreds of pounds for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

A total of 42 youngsters from the 1st Openwoodgate Scout Group in Belper took part in a sponsored stay-awake to raise money for the Aquabox appeal.

They went without sleep for 12 hours from 8pm until 8am and made £587.05, which they presented to Mike Tomlinson, from the Derbyshire-based Aquabox charity.

Chris Walker, the Scouts' leader, said: "Some of the Scouts are only 10 and this was a great achievement."

Other funds raised by the event will go to the group's summer camp at Peak 2010, being held at Chatsworth.

Aquaboxes remove deadly waterborne diseases and are playing an invaluable role in the massive aid effort helping Haiti recover from the quake.