After Captain Tom walked 100 laps around his garden before he turned 100, Five Spires Academy, in Cherry Orchard, gave pupils an “11 before 11” challenge, encouraging them to complete 11 personal challenges before their 11th birthdays.

One of their goals was to raise money for charity, so pupils walked 100 laps of their playground in aid of St Giles, which supports patients and their families who are living with a terminal illness.

Five Spires Learning Mentor Tracy Lisseter (corr) said: “We wanted to do something positive after a challenging year and help a charity whose fundraising would have suffered because of the pandemic.

“St Giles is a local charity which has supported members of our school community during difficult times. We are extremely grateful for their help and wanted to give something back.

“Our families have been extremely generous and we have been overwhelmed by their support.

“We would have been happy with raising a few hundred pounds as we know every little bit helps a charity, but to raise £3,295.15 is fantastic and we are so grateful for the generosity of our parents and carers, and their friends and families. It’s a remarkable effort which we are very proud of.”

Jo Murch, Regional Fundraiser at St Giles Hospice, added: "What an inspiration the staff and students of Five Spires Academy are! We really can’t thank them enough for their amazing donation.

"Fundraising teaches children so many important life skills such as compassion, determination and social awareness and St Giles is delighted to have the support of Five Spires Academy, especially after a difficult year when we have had to cancel fundraising events and close our shops.

"We've never needed our community more than we need them now and if any other schools are looking for a similar challenge we would love them to get in contact with our fundraising team."

The pupils did their sponsored walk as part of ‘Miles 4 St Giles’ – a fundraising initiative set up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which encourages supporters to run, cycle or walk their own distance over 30 days to raise sponsorship for the hospice.

To find out more about Miles 4 St Giles or take part visit www.stgileshospice.com/miles4stgiles

PICTURE CAPTION: Five Spires Academy pupils and St Giles Regional Fundraiser Jo Murch (right) celebrate the success of their fundraising for St Giles Hospice.