A mountain of cash!

Staff Sergeant Andy Brook from the Royal Engineers Corps, back centre, right, collects the cheque from pupils and their teacher Steve Hill

PUPILS at St Joseph’s School, Shaw, sent up a big cheer to celebrate raising a massive £6,200 in just 10 months for their favourite charities.

The Year Six youngsters threw themselves behind the campaign to raise cash for Help for Heroes and the BIRD (Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Development) charity.

It started when their teacher, Steve Hill, announced to his class that he was making an attempt to conquer Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain at 15,782ft.

Facing his biggest ever physical challenge, the intrepid teacher said he would do it for charity, and pupils set about collecting sponsorship.

Mr Hill said: “It really grabbed their imagination, and the children got right behind me and decided that they would follow in the footsteps of my previous class and help to raise some money for the charities.

“They collected unwanted clothing which was exchanged for cash, they organised a charity car wash with the local fire service, they held toast sales, cake sales, arranged an afternoon of mince pies and merriment at Christmas for parents, went Christmas carol singing around the local shops, held a sponsored swim and a sponsored run along with some very generous sponsorship for the climb from our kind-hearted parents.

“The result was a massive £6,200,” said a proud Mr Hill. “This incredible success is down to the enthusiasm of my Year Six class, and the support of the whole school.

“The children have been fantastic.

“They have worked so hard and have enjoyed their charity fundraising, it has been a real team effort, and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the last few months of fundraising.”

The youngsters decided which charities they wanted to support, and have now handed over £4,000 to Help for Heroes and £2,200 to the BIRD charity.