PUPILS of Southend High School for Boys have been given a shock of huge proportions, courtesy of the Essex Pirates.

Students in the year 11 basketball team had been expecting to take on the school’s staff in a game to raise funds for Whizz Kids, who PE teacher John Brandon is running the forthcoming London Marathon for.

But what the youngsters did not know was that the staff team had called in professional players from the Southend-based Pirates.

“The boys’ faces when they see who they were playing against was priceless, because they thought they were just playing against some of our staff,” explained Brandon. “The Essex Pirates’ attitude to the whole occasion was first class.

“They played in the right spirit throughout and had some flashes of brilliance to allow our students the opportunity to see how professional players do things.

“We would like to thank Beverly Bryan, who helped organise the event, and to all the Essex Pirates who made the whole thing special.”

The Pirates and staff came out on top 57-48 with Alan Metcalfe top-scoring with 22 points.

And the day raised more than £200 for Whizz Kidz which is a charity that helps disabled children gain some independence. Anyone else wishing to help Brandon raise the £1,500 minimum total he needs to raise can visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JohnBrandon