The childrens postage stamp campaign brought in €9.5m this year, up from €9.1m a year ago.

The kinderpostzegels (childrens stamps) are released each October and the money raised goes to projects around the world aimed at the safety and education of vulnerable children.

This year the stamps featured covers from the childrens’ book series Gouden Boekjes (golden books).

The number of children who take part in the action by selling the stamps is dropping year by year. Between 2010 and 2013, some 200,000 children took part. Last year the number dropped to 185,000 and this year there were 170,000.

The reason, according to broadcaster Nos, is the decreasing number of children in the highest class at primary school. In addition, there is an increasing number of charity campaigns schools can take part in.