Youngsters at a Calne school have helped raised thousands of pounds for a charity which helps families with children suffering from cancer or leukaemia.

St Margaret’s Preparatory School chose the Swindon based organisation CALM – the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement – as its charity of the year for 2017/18.

After months of holding a wide variety of fundraising events the school has now handed over a cheque for £4,400 to CALM family liaison officer Karen Schofield.

Back in December Ms Schofield visited the school to give pupils an insight into the work of the charity which was set up by a group of parents in 1984.

They set about raising funds immediately and were supported by parents who also backed the school’s charity choice. Youngsters have taken part in a themed mufti day when they wore their own clothes and money from a retiring collection at the school’s carol service got the fundraising off to a good start.

One of the biggest fundraisers was the school’s annual charity walk in May which helped swell the fund.

Ms Schofield thanked the school for its donation. CALM uses money raised to help improve the quality of life for both children going through treatment and parents and families.

A CALM spokesman said: “CALM provides support to families to cope with physical, emotional and often financial strain. It is not uncommon for other members of the family to suffer stress related illness.”