YEAR 8 students at Notting Hill and Ealing High School have managed to raise over £2,500 for the Alzheimer's Society.

Despite some of their schooling taking place online, the students raised the money through various fundraising activities such as sponsored runs, walks and bake sales - one student managed to swim 30km while also completing 100 netball shots a day.

Other fundraising activities included an Easter egg hunt and an indoor school fair for the students' year group bubble.

Miss O'Connor, a teacher who manages the school's fundraising and volunteering initiatives said: "The students in Year 8 have been very dedicated to this cause.

"One of our charity reps got in touch with the charity to arrange for some balloons and banners to advertise events and we ended up arranging for Natasha from the charity to speak to our whole school, in an assembly, about the disease and what our students can do.

"Well done Year 8 and thank you to all the friends and family who donated.

"It's an impressive amount of money to have raised, especially in a half term spent partly at home and partly in school."

Every term a different year group raises money for a charity and Anna, the student who swam 30km for the cause said: "The main reason I decided to do this is because my mum is a GP who predominantly works in care homes and nursing homes, so many of the patients she has to treat are affected by the disease.

"I have seen first-hand how much Alzheimer's and dementia can deteriorate someone's wellbeing and affect their whole life.

"Consequently, I feel very strongly about trying to find a cure for Alzheimer's and I always try to fundraise for them whenever I get a chance."

Another student who took a lead on the charity initiative said: "I really enjoyed being one of my form's charity reps this year.

"It was really exciting planning and organising our events as well as

representing our form and raising money for a good cause.

"Although we had to start planning during lockdown, we still managed to coordinate our events."

Natasha Brame a Community Fundraiser from the Alzheimer's Society expressed her gratitude to the students at the school: "We are truly grateful to Notting Hill & Ealing High School for their amazing support.

"The Year 8 pupils have gone above and beyond to raise money for the charity and we cannot thank them enough for their fundraising, especially during such difficult times.

"The money raised will go towards supporting people affected by dementia, through this crisis and beyond."

Next term, the students in Year 7 will start their preparations and begin their fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital.