STUDENTS from Knutsford Academy have raised more than £4,500 for charities during the Autumn term.

Charities that benefited from the students work included Jeans for Genes, Francis House Hospice, Children in Need and Lepra.

This includes Year 7 who have been working with Lepra, an international charity fighting disease, poverty and prejudice.

Students came up with a range of different ideas on how they could raise funds for the charity.

Helen Robert, head of Year 7, said,:‘So many students raised a huge amount of money, but a special mention must go to some of our top fundraisers.

“Amy Jarvis raised more than £100 doing swimming events, and Pembe Mentesh and Maisie Purcell ran a big bake sale together in school raising more than £100.”

The students were then rewarded with a Zumba workout led by Lepra representative Jacqueline Fairbairn who said: “A big thank you for making us so welcome – as usual the students were fantastic! I can confirm a brilliant £1,347 has been raised which means 53 people will be cured of leprosy.”

In October the Academy hosted a ‘non-uniform wear blue day’ to raise funds and make a donation towards a therapy dog for a student who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, and whose favourite colour is blue.

Sixth Form students have also contributed raising funds for the Francis House Hospice where they presented a cheque following a fancy dress day.

Headteacher James Whittaker said: “We are very proud of our students and parents efforts and achievements over the term to raise such a substantial amount of money for so many worthy causes on both a local and national basis. However this is only the start and we have plenty more fundraising events planned over the spring and summer term.”