STUDENTS at Churchfield School have raised nearly £3,000 for three different charities by getting involved in various sporting events.

The determined pupils managed to raise £2,800 in a year, which was split between Cancer Research UK, Team SuperSchools and Comic Relief.

Thomas Fisher, PE teacher at Churchfield School in Highbridge said: "The children have worked really hard over the last year to raise the money for charity and I am really impressed with all the effort they have put in.

"At one event, we had Grant Fielder, a World Champion mountain biker come to the school with Rhys Evans, former Olympic hurdler, to lead various exercises with the children for which they were sponsored for by their friends and family.

"This event finished with an aerial display for Grant's skills in the school playground.

"We raised £450 for Team SuperSchools, which helps support young, talented British athletes with their sporting development, as well as £400 for the school which we decided to donate to Comic Relief.

"The other event we hosted was a Cancer Research UK schools Race for Life.

"We started with a small 0.9km KS1 race around the school field and playground, followed by a longer 1.8km KS2 race.

"The children were again sponsored by their friends and family for this, raising a fantastic £2092.20 for the charity.

 "Some children raised huge amounts themselves, with Lilly-Ann in reception's Ash class, being our top fundraiser by being sponsored over £150 to participate in the race.

"Our children all dedicated their run to a loved one who has been affected by cancer and all received a medal.

"All of our 460 children participated on both events at school and it was great to see them all get involved."

The school has also recently been awarded a bronze school sport kitemark award for having at least 20 per cent of its pupils participating in extra sport and for participating in over 20 competitive and non-competitive sport events over the course of a year.

Mr Fisher added: "We are thrilled with our first kitemark award for sport and are hoping to achieve the silver award next year."