PUPILS at a Newport school performed a musical adaptation of a Dickens classic this week to raise money for a local boy.

Around 86 children from Gaer Infants School took part in Oliver! which they performed for fellow pupils and parents last night and at a matinee on Tuesday.

All of the children had a part and have been rehearsing since June. Class teacher Janet Kilbane said the five, six and seven-year-olds have loved taking part in Oliver!

“They’ve really come out of their shell and we have some very talented youngsters,”

she said.

Money raised from the play will go to 22-month-old Alfie Cueto from the Gaer, who is suffering from a rare form of cancer.

The toddler was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, which affects just eight children a year in the UK, in March and has already undergone several rounds of chemotherapy.

The school has so far raised £700 but hopes to gain an extra £300 to present £1,000 to Alfie’s family.