Six students from St John’s School in Leatherhead have been working as part of a CHASE ‘A’ Team to raise money for CHASE hospice care for children this academic year and have just handed over a cheque for £2,190 to the children’s hospice charity.

Oli Gyngell, Ross Johnson, Emma Naylor, Maddie Richards, Rosie Russell and John Shenton have enjoyed the experience of fund raising which has been extremely challenging; combining effective team working and planning skills.

To raise money they held a cake sale raising £70 but their main event was a sponsored cycle ride and run from Leatherhead to London, coming to an end at the London Eye. The day was hugely enjoyable and they raised over £2,000. Team members said they had found the year very rewarding and were delighted to have raised such a significant sum for such a worthy cause.

CHASE fundraising manager Jackie Collins said: “The students at St John’s have done a wonderful job in raising so much money for us and we are delighted to hear that they plan to carry on the A Team activities.

“The boys have left the school now but the girls are still there and are intending to repeat the exercise next school year with boys selected from the year below them. Then when they leave hopefully the boys will select three girls to join them from the year below them - and long may this continue!”

CHASE ’A’ Teams are groups of young people in schools and colleges who get together like a charity committee to raise money for CHASE. They hold meetings, decide on events, learn how to budget and plan an event or activity – with the ultimate satisfaction of raising money for a much needed cause.

CHASE would love to hear from other schools and colleges whose students would be interested in setting up their own ‘A’ Team. Contact CHASE on 01483 454213 or visit the website www.chasecare.org.uk