World-renowned authors Julia Golding, left, and Mark Haddon were at an Oxford primary school yesterday to raise awareness of Oxfam’s Water Week.

Along with fellow Oxford-based writer Philip Pullman, the novelists have written a letter to Oxfordshire schools asking them to support the campaign in Oxfam’s 70th anniversary year.

The initiative runs over the week of July 2-6, and aims to teach children across the UK about the problems surrounding water. It also gives them the chance to raise money through various activities.

Joining Mr Haddon and pupils at St Barnabas Primary School in Jericho yesterday, children’s author Mrs Golding said: “This really teaches children about the water issues around the world.

“It gets them thinking about problems such as water levels dropping, accessibility and availability.”

They are pictured with pupils, from left to right, Marin Marinov, Jack Corke, Edith England, Delilah Tordoff and Freddie Cooke.

And Oxford resident Mr Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, added: “In my experience the kids are always really open to what’s going on in the world.

“They are actively concerned with what’s going on.”

Delilah, nine, said: “Some children are not as lucky as us. They don’t always have water and we often take it all for granted.”

To get involved, register online at www.oxfam.org.uk/waterweek