MACKIE Academy pupils managed to raise a staggering £28,000 from their annual sponsored walk and a local charity received a £20,000 donation from the school.
Jo Warren, Community Fundraising Manager from cancer charity CILIC Sargent was at the academy for a cheque presentation on Wednesday and she said she was amazed by the amount of money raised for their cause.
More than 1,000 pupils took part in th
e 18km (10 mile) walk last September, which sees them walking through Fetteresso Woods.
The theme this year was 'bright colours', and the pupils quickly stepped up to the challenge dressing themselves in bright pinks and blues while others attempted the walk dressed in full animal costumes.
Canadian Oil company Nexon, who are business partners with the school, provided the bus transport for the pupils and also took part in the walk, helping to raise a large chunk of the money.
Ms Warren said: "It's amazing for a school to have raised so much money, it will be a huge help for us. We are the leading funder of support for children's cancer care in the North East, so all the money will be spent locally."
The remaining £8,000 will be spent on improvements around the school, which will decided by the pupils.
Depute Head teacher Jennifer McDonald said: "We are delighted to walk for CLIC Sargent. The pupils chose the charity though an enterprise course, where they researched local charities and make presentations to the classes. The pupils then get a shortlist to select which charity they want. The reason we don't split the money between charities is because we want to make a dig difference to one, especially if they are a small charity.
"Every year I say to the pupils 'you did a great job but I don't think you can beat last year's total' and they do, it's incredible. Because of the spirit of the day and everybody getting involved, it's good fun.
"There is a bit of a competitive streak to it now, especially amongst some of the boys because some of them run it. One boy, Murray Deans, managed to complete the 18km even though we had just set up the finish line!"
The pupils have chosen their charity for the walk this year and will be having a 'Bling Fling Thing' in aid of Breast Cancer Research.
JO Warren (left) of CLIC Sargent collects a cheque from Mackie Academy pupils.
