IN SUPPORT of Malaria No More, pupils of Dauntsey's in West Lavington have been putting their best foot forward to raise thousands for the school's chosen charity of the year.

The charity, chosen by the school for 2015/2016, is set to benefit from a massive donation which pupils have raised from a number of different activities.

A team of fourteen Lower Sixth pupils from the school have raised £5,351 through being sponsored by family and friends to compete in the infamous Devizes to Westminster canoe race, known as The Canoeist’s Everest, over the Easter weekend.

Jane Hubbard, head of charities at Dauntsey’s, said: “The DW team made a fantastic contribution to our fundraising effort this year and it is particularly fitting that we can confirm their total of £5,351 in the week of World Malaria Day.

“The staff and pupils put a great deal of time and effort into fundraising for our chosen charity each year. Our goal is to beat the £21,000 which we raised for Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement (CALM) last year.”

Other pupils at the school have run a range of events including a Swimathon which raised more than £1,000, a charity lunch, house events and retiring collections from School Concerts and Mercers’ Lectures, all of which have contributed a further £5,000 towards the total.

The next fundraising event will be the Junior Boarders’ Manor Marathon, which will involve cycling or running in relays the 26 miles back to Dauntsey’s from Bath Abbey, a highlight in the school’s calendar.

The UK-based Malaria No More charity funds malaria programmes in Africa that help to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.