MORE than 400 pupils and teachers at a Basingstoke school raced around their playing fields to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Dressed in pink, pupils joined 15 teachers at The Vyne Community School, in Vyne Road, South View, to run, jog or walk in the 5km Race for Life event on Monday to raise money for the cancer charity.

The school hopes to generate £2,000 for Cancer Research UK which is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.

To bring in extra cash, pupils painted nails on the day of the race and held a car boot sale last Saturday which will go towards the final total.

An ice cream van on site after the event also donated 20 per cent of its takings.

First across the finish line was 15-year-old Brian Majola, who completed the course in 20 minutes. The first girl to complete the course was 15-yearold Primrose Majola who ran across the finish line in 30 minutes.

Jodie Gibson, head of key stage four at the school, told The Gazette: “It was a fantastic day. It was a brilliant atmosphere, the staff loved it and the kids had a great time dressed in pink.

“It is a really good whole school event and they weren’t dampened by the drizzle.”