Cancer charities will benefit from a year of fundraising by year 8 students at a Kingsbury school.

The children at Kingsbury High School, in Princes Avenue, are taking part in a range of challenges to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice in Kenton, The Teenage Cancer Trust and Stand up to Cancer, part of Cancer Research UK.

The 12 and 13-year-olds have started by taking part in a number of Santa-themed fundraising activities to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.

They will be taking part in a sponsored run dressed as Father Christmases, on December 9, and they have been volunteering in charity shops and collecting donations from staff and fellow students.

Kingsbury High School student, Katie Wu, aged 12, said: "As a school, to support St Luke’s Hospice is a big opportunity for us to help others and contribute towards charities close to our hearts.

“As young people we should be doing things for others, leading the way for future generations.

“We should be able to say ‘I did that, I was a part of helping those people’ - giving something back to our society and understanding the importance of thinking of others.”

Deputy Year 8 leader, Helen Snow said: “We wanted a campaign that the students could lead and be a part of, not only being courageous within their own surroundings but also understanding and promoting the courage of others.

“Sadly many of our students and colleagues have lost loved ones to cancer, we wanted to support various charities linked to this and raise awareness amongst their peers.

“We hope that this opportunity stays with our students for a lifetime and they continue to understand and support others in difficult times.”

Community and events fundraiser for St Luke’s Hospice, Kate Gammell, said: “It’s lovely to have the support of Kingsbury High School students and staff.

“It costs £3 million a year to run St Luke’s, so the support of a local school is so important.

“This year’s Santa Dash will be our fourth and is set to be our best yet! We hope to raise more than £10,000!”