Room 11 students at Papamoa School are making it their responsibility to help Coast Care further develop the dunes on Tauranga beaches – an initiative sparked by reading a SunLive article.

Room 11 students at papmoa School wrapped up unwanted toys for prizes at their market stall today.

The students originally wanted to use their funds to replant a section of Papamoa dunes scorched by fire in May – but have readdressed their immediate concerns, following Tauranga City Council's decision to not replant the area until next year.

TCC decided to refrain from spending the estimated $20,000 cost on replanting the Papamoa dune area – and instead the section will be used as a test subject.

Teacher Melanie Lowe says after reading SunLive's article the children brainstormed ways in which they could contribute to the dunes' development.

'We had a great time thinking of all the wonderful ways we could raise money both within the school and out in our community,” says Melanie.

To help fundraise, the children wrapped up some of their pre-loved toys to be given away as prizes at their Lucky Dip stall at today's Papamoa Lions Market.

Melanie says Year 3 student Jacob Watters has also been doing odd jobs around the house to help raise money for the plants too.

'I was blown away by Jacob's generosity and concern for his community.”

The students are also a part of the annual replanting project, which the school undertakes with Coast Care, planting as many as 100 spinifex and pingao plants on Tauranga beaches.

'My students have learned a lot about their local sand dunes and want to do their bit to help out,” says Melanie.