Three Bay of Plenty schools are being recognised for their efforts after raising nearly $1400 for the Red Cross.

As part of the Red Cross annual appeal, the voluntary organisation set a challenge to schools across the country to raise as much money as they can.

Red Cross trophy presentation Jan Pryce (Red Cross), Papamoa College Steve Lindsey, teacher Ngaere Durie and students Courtney Styles and Victoria Rhodes-Carlin. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Three schools from the Bay of Plenty entered the competition with Papamoa College coming up trumps raising $598. The school was awarded with a trophy for their efforts today.

The school took part in a ‘Wear Red Day' and each student was asked to bring a $1 donation in support of Red Cross.

Some students also took to a more creative side of the challenge by entering in the Red Cross music challenge where the school entered in a video themed ‘I See Red'.

The video featured the school's Board of Trustees, teachers, and even the caretaker, who rode on his red tractor for the event.

Tauranga Girls' College raised $480 while Mount Maunganui College raised $309.80.

Red Cross Western Bay of Plenty service centre co-ordinator Jan Pryce says it is great to see so many schools get behind the challenge and support Red Cross.

'Our annual appeal helps us to help vulnerable people in the community including Meals on Wheels, and hospital transport.”

Jan says the annual appeal also helps the organisation to deliver a free four hour basic first aid course to schools and youth organisations and a drug and alcohol harm minimisation and awareness course - ‘Save a Mate'.

Watch the video here.