PUPILS from Westcliff High School for Boys held fundraiser events to raise money for chosen charities close to their hearts.

This year, students chose to raise money for The Great Ormond Street Hospital and Children’s Charity, MIND (South East and Central Essex Branch) and Cancer Research UK, who were chosen by year 7 pupils.

The school’s charity committee, consisting of year 12 students, organised the fundraising events throughout the year, including a comedy and curry night, music and general knowledge quizzes, a charity auction, cake sales and a non-uniform day. Members of the committee raised money by packing bags at the supermarket and some even shaving their heads.

Staff also helped raise money for the charities, taking part in a teacher pantomime, where pupils paid to watch and gunge members of staff.

Joe Turnpenny, Chair of WHSB’s Charity Committee 2017/18 said: “We worked very hard as a team in arranging a large and varied range of fundraising events. Our aim was to raise as much money as possible for our chosen charities by bringing together, involving and entertaining our School Community”.

Last Wednesday, an assembly was held where cheques were presented at equal amounts to representatives from Great Ormond Street and MIND, totalling at around £12,000. In the year 7 cake sale, around £800 was raised for Cancer Research UK, which was also presented to representatives in the assembly.

Maria Shirlin, representative from South East and Central Essex MIND said: “The donation was presented on World Mental Health Day which made it particularly special.”