Children are amazing at coming up with bright ideas. Many teachers rightly lament the limitations that now seem to be placed on creativity, with so much prescription around. However, the “Children Helping Children” campaign offers a golden opportunity to prove that imagination is alive and flourishing.

In the mid Eighties, I was chairman of the national planning committee for the BBC “Domesday Project”, which celebrated the 900th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s monumental census by surveying Britain using a million children in 14,000 schools.

In theory, all each school had to do was a modest survey of land cover and amenities in its own locality. In practice, the ingenuity was staggering. One child’s father was in the Royal Air Force, and surveyors were able to literally fly over the area in a helicopter. Another group conducted a public opinion study which found there was a great need for a leisure centre. Their enquiry received favourable publicity in the press.

The TES-UNICEF campaign offers a similar chance for children to dream up ingenious ways of raising money to help provide a much-needed education for children in Afghanistan.

Does anyone know somebody famous who could sign a book, donate a football shirt or an autographed handkerchief for auction or a raffle? Could everyone raise 50p or pound;1? If all eight million pupils in primary and secondary schools did this it would make a huge impact on children in Afghanistan.

There are often amazing local charities that raise cash for needy causes, and there are few greater needs than education - a fundamental human right. Someone’s parent, friend, relative or neighbour might be a key player in the local church, rotary club or women’s institute.

Ask children to make enquiries. Most of us have no idea of the good deeds that ordinary citizens do as a matter of course, without making an undue fuss.

Some of the best ideas are offbeat and novel because people respond to their quirkiness. Is there a different twist or angle that can be given to familiar ways of raising fundss such as sponsored walks or runs? Try to think of something that has not been done to death already.

Finally, remember not to neglect publicity. Let the local media know about anything newsworthy. Why shouldn’t children see their global citizenship recognised? It will bring good publicity to the school and might encourage others to do the same for such a good cause.

UNICEF desperately needs money to repair schools, train teachers and supply books and materials. For more teaching ideas and suggestions for fundraising activities for the appeal, visit www.tes.co.ukafghanistan Unicef tel: 0870 606 3377 Ted Wragg is professor of education at Exeter University.