A NATURAL chatterbox took a difficult vow of silence to help raise money for two charities.

Talkative Frankie Saunders managed to utter no words between 8.30am and 6.30pm today (Friday) all in aid of two good causes - Birmingham Children's Hospital and National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS).

It was a struggle as the extremely chatty eleven-year-old had to use a whiteboard to converse with teachers at Northwick Manor Primary School and learned hand signals to communicate with her best friend.

Mum Donna, who volunteers for NRAS, said the challenge was all Frankie's idea and she had managed to raise about £300 between the two charities.

"She knew it would be a challenge because she is quite a chatterbox.

"It was weird not having her talk but it was quiet. She's usually singing - she wakes up singing and sings in the shower so, for her, not being able to talk or sing was quite a challenge.

"She had wanted to do something for ages because over the years she has helped me with my things for NRAS.

"Frankie has seen me and my mum with rheumatoid arthritis - it is well known in our house and something I volunteer for so that was the very first cause she wanted to do it for.

"She chose Birmingham Children's Hospital because some of her friends and her cousin have spent time there.

"Obviously, being a child herself, she can relate to that and knows she is lucky to have her heath but others are not so fortunate."

Frankie has set up two Just Giving pages.

To donate to NRAS, log on to justgiving.com/fundraising/Frankie-Saunders1.

To donate to Birmingham Children's Hospital, log on to justgiving.com/fundraising/FrankieSaunders05.