STUDENTS at a Basingstoke school have raised more than £2,000 in support of charity.

Every year, the students at Park View Junior School choose a charity to raise money for and are then given time to research and write presentations on them.

This year, the chosen charity was Still Birth and Neonatal Deaths Charity (SANDS.) The children also took part in a sponsored walk; 12 laps a day around the field which is equivalent to 26.5miles in total, the distance covered by runners in a marathon. At lunch times, children organised games where other children paid to take part.

The children raised £2,212.99 through those activities and through a Raising and Giving week, where they sold goods daily throughout the week.

Upper phase school leader Judith Pfende said: “It was such a pleasure to see our Year 6 children working as a team, using and applying maths skills and, above all, enjoying themselves while doing something for a good cause.

“The children were very enthusiastic and some were so exceptionally good that some teachers became very emotional during the presentations. Children in the whole school then voted for the charity that touched them. We gave this opportunity to children to improve their speaking and listening skills.”

SANDS support anyone affected by death of a baby, improves the bereavement care received by parents and families, influences policy makers and promotes research to reduce the number of babies dying. A representative of the charity, Rachel, informed the school that the money will go towards the memorial garden.