STUDENTS at Pensby High School have raised £1,190 for two charities after being set a challenge by their teacher.
At the start of the school year in September 2018 chemistry teacher and head of PSHE at the school Jen Taylor invited students to vote on what charities they wanted to support throughout the academic year.
The students chose Alder Hey Children's Hospital and Muscular Dystrophy UK as their two charities to fundraise for with several pupils having close links to Alder Hey and one student who has a sibling with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Each form then battled it out to raise the most cash from completing a Santa Dash, sponsored walks, Easter egg hunts and selling handmade gifts.
A total of £1,190 was raised and was split between Alder Hey and Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Five of the fundraising champions then met with Charles Horton, the regional development manager for Muscular Dystrophy UK who explained to the students about how the disease progresses, the treatment available and how families are supported through the charity.
Rebecca, James, Logan, Kieran and Warren with Jen Taylor and Charles Horton from Muscular Dystrophy UK
He also spoke of how, with the donation from Pensby High School, the charity will fund 14 hours of research into new treatments.
Three pupils then travelled to Alder Hey Hospital to meet with fundraising co-ordinator Adam Dixon who took them on a tour of the hospital and research department.
He told the students how the cash would go towards specialist chefs that cook personalised meals for each patient plus funding high-tech gadgets to allow patients to feel more at home.
One of the fundraisers Heidi Dugdill said: "The experience of going to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital was like no other.
"You don’t realise how fortunate you are until you see what other children are dealing with. I am so glad I took part in this fundraiser as it has given me plenty to appreciate.
"I send all my best wishes to the children in Alder Hey, and hope they get better soon.
"Children at Alder Hey are respected a great deal by the cheerful staff because they are so brave and uncomplaining, and the children think the staff are amazing too.
"Thank you, Alder Hey, for inviting us to the hospital."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here