Pupils, staff, governor and parents from a secondary school completed a national swimathon in the aid of charity last weekend.

The team from Roding Valley High School on Alderton Hill, Loughton, raised over £1,000 by swimming 10 kilometres on Saturday, March 30.

Over £1,000 raised by the group for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie, beating their target of £750.

Year 7 student Jemima, who took part, said: “Since learning to swim at the age of four I have had a passion for swimming, so it was amazing to be able to use this skill to help raise money for cancer research and care; as I have seen how cancer can devastate families.”

Roding Valley’s healthy school’s governor Sharon Famiglietti who helped organise the fundraising page, said: “The best part about organising the team was seeing members of the school’s community from a variety of levels unite to help beat cancer.

“As we are all aware, cancer affects people of all ages and walks of life, so it was important to me that our team represented a variety of different people.”

Headteacher Sharon Jenner: “The school is committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals who want to make positive change in the community; which we do by organising and encouraging student involvement in charities and fundraising events, such as the swimathon and a variety of other initiatives.

“It’s so important to instil these qualities in students while they are at school - they are the future generation.”