School pals help Nicole

Presentation of £250 to Clic Sargent and a Wii to Nicole Hankes at the Civic Centre. Back row l-r, Wayne Hanks (Nicole's dad), Mayor Cllr. Shoab Akhtar, Lorna Philip (Hathershaw College), Mayoress Shafeena Kousar, Maggie Sweeney (Hathershaw College), Kay

PUPILS at Hathershaw School were inspired to raise nearly £1,000 for charity by 11-year-old Nicole Hankes.

Nicole is being treated for leukaemia and staff and pupils took part in a 5km Race for Life at the school in aid of Cancer Research UK and CLIC Sargent children’s cancer charity.

The school decided to support the charities after they were told about Nicole by teaching assistant Kay Freeman, a friend of the youngster’s mother.

Two of Nicole’s friends, Lucy Freeman and Robyn Hibbert from North Chadderton School, took part in the run.

A raffle was also organised to raise money to buy Nicole — who is a pupil at Chadderton Hall Primary School — a Nintendo Wii games console.

Prizes including an iPod, a meal at a restaurant and England shirts were donated by various people.