BIG-hearted sixth formers at Upton High School in Chester have raised more than £6,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.

Every spring, Upton High’s sixth form holds a fundraising week for a charity of their choice. They have raised £58,000 for various charities over the past nine years.

This year the chosen charity was the Teenage Cancer Trust. It was selected by the students as one they believed to be really important.

There were the usual collection buckets and the students also found many other ways to raise money. They made cakes and sold them to staff and other students throughout the school.

They sold TCT wrist bands which were extremely popular becoming a must-have item.

Two students completed a sponsored run dressed as Spartans – running from Upton, around the city walls and back again.

One student shaved off his long hair and raised £300.

The sixth form encouraged the whole school to get involved with fundraising and events from sponsored silences through to a non-uniform day.

The whole sixth form donned fancy dress on the last day and raised £3,000 - in that single day. These and many other events have raised £6,156.63 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Important messages were also raised about cancer and young people. The students learned how it is important to have the right support for affected teenagers and what a difference it can make.

The students were delighted that they could take a lead in the fundraising for a local TCT unit which is being set up at Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology.

Deborah Drinkall, the North West regional appeals manager for the charity, attended a special assembly to receive the cheque.

Upton High School sixth form hope to continue the link set up with Clatterbridge TCT unit in the future.