LORETP Grammar School girls have set up their own charities committee called Agape after the Ancient Greek word for selfless love to help raise even more money for local, national and international charities.

The Altrincham school already donates more than £25,000 each year to a wide range of projects but now the girls want to do even more. The new committee which draws representatives from all year groups was the brain child of the girls themselves.

One of the founders Ella Embleton, 17, said why they had chosen their new title: “Agape means selfless love and that's what we all need to show in a world that has so many demands at home and overseas.”

Her fellow sixth form representative Lydia Sirovica, 17, added: “We are looking for young women from every year group who have compassion, dedication, energy, commitment and a strong desire to work hard on behalf of others.”

Each year group from Year Seven through to Year 13 will work on behalf of their own charity including the Cornerstones Centre in Manchester for the homeless, Mary's Meals, Revive, Vincent de Paul U.K. and the Loreto schools in India.

The pupils have been nominated and elected for their ability to organise, their concern for others and their energy and enthusiasm.

Lilly O'Dwyer, 12, from Year Seven added: “I want to help those who are less fortunate than myself and be part of a team that works together on behalf of others.”

The Head of Loreto Grammar School's Sixth Form Helen Jordan, who is assisting with the project, said: “This is all the girls own work, their idea and their inspiration. We are very proud of these young women who are all leaders of the future and we share their vision which is very much at the heart of what the Loreto community wants to achieve.”