MONEY raised by generous students who gathered more than £3,000 in just over a fortnight has been distributed to local groups. Pupils at Fearns High School, Bacup, took part in a variety of fund-raising events just before Christmas in their main annual charity push.

Yesterday - Friday - the cash was distributed to charities and groups. Around £1,100 was raised by a all-night sleep-over on the school theatre floor by Year 7 students and teachers which went to the charity for the homeless Crisis at Christmas.

Other fund-raisers included fancy dress, non-uniform days and staff offering themselves as "slaves" for the day.

A further £500 went to the Mayor of Pendle's Appeal fund and to former student Cathy Thompson who is doing voluntary teaching service in Guyana, Africa. The MacMillan Nurses charity benefited by £450 and £300 of the money has already gone towards a party for local elderly people. The remainder will be kept in the school's charity "pot" for future use.

Head Neil Thornley said: "It was a magnificent effort. I'm still absolutely amazed by the amount. We usually raise more than £2,000 but we've never got over £3,000 before."

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