This class of schoolchildren was determined to help revive the fortunes of forgotten pets.

The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals had closed its treatment centre in Cowley Road, Oxford, and poor families had nowhere to get low-cost aid for their animals.

Early in 1984, volunteers under the leadership of retired school teacher Arthur Fisher decided to try to restore the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals to the city.

Their campaign got an early shot in the arm when pupils at Mr Fisher’s old school handed him a cheque for £28.

Children in Class 3T at Bayswater Middle School at Headington collected the money from family and friends and Mr Fisher visited the school to receive the cheque.

He explained that the money would go into a fund.

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Pets would then be treated by a vet who would be paid by the PDSA.

Mr Fisher said: “We would be delighted if we could raise enough for a treatment centre, but the best we can hope for is to find premises for a gift shop to help with fundraising.”

The PDSA is more than 100 years old, having been founded in 1917 by animal welfare pioneer Maria Dickin.

In 1975, when Oxford adopted a three-tier system of comprehensive education, Bayswater Secondary Modern School became Bayswater Middle School, for children aged nine to 13.

Then, in 2003, when Oxford reverted to a two-tier system of education, to fall in line with the rest of the county, all middle schools became obsolete and Bayswater Middle School closed for good.

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Barton Village First School moved on to its site, adopting the new name of Bayards Hill Primary School.

For more visit pdsa.org.uk.