Pupils from Castell Alun High School in Hope have worked together to raise more than £1,700 for local charities.

The pupils in year 8, selected North West Cancer Research and Nightingale House as their chosen charities for their fundraising activities during the summer term, following nominations and a voting process.

Over the last few weeks, the pupils aged 12 and 13 have held cake sales and raffles to encourage their fellow school members to make donations.

Two pupils, Kalum Guest and Charlie Jones, went more than the extra mile and cycled 40 miles around the school track, making the largest contribution to the fundraising.

North West Cancer Research is a charity close to Kalum’s heart, after his grandmother asked friends and family to make donations to the charity for her 70th birthday and it was Kalum who put its name forward for the final vote.

Fellow pupil, Rhys Jones Dodd, has also been inspired by the work of the charity and shaved his head in the final fundraising drive of the school year.

The 12-year-old wanted to shave his head to show solidarity with his mum, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and will lose her hair as a result of the treatment.

Rhys, was joined by Kalum and Charlie in the head shave.

Money is still being collected but the trio hope to raise another £700 for their charities.

Rhys said: “As soon as my mum told me she would lose her hair to cancer, I told her straightaway that I wanted to shave mine off as well.

“She thought I was a bit mad at first but now she’s happy I’ve done it. We’ve already raised lots of money for North West Cancer Research in school and I hope that Kalum, Charlie and I have helped raise even more.”

Kalum added: “I’m so happy North West Cancer Research is one of our chosen charities this year. It was a charity my nan supported so I’m happy I can help them as well. Charlie and I enjoyed the cycling. It was tiring but we had fun doing it together.”

Kalum and Charlie presented Ray Dickson, chair of the Wrexham-based fundraising committee for North West Cancer Research with a cheque for £550 earlier this month. The money raised will support life-saving cancer research at nearby Bangor University.

Ray Dickson said: “I was honoured to visit Castell Alun school to pick up a cheque for the money the pupils have raised for North West Cancer Research. It’s great to see young people dedicating their time to helping charities like ours.

“Cancer sadly affects so many people and it is one of the biggest killers in the world today. My family has experienced these effects first hand, so we know the important role that research has to play in the fight against cancer.”

Neil Eve, head of year 8 at Castell Alun High School added: “We are very proud of the efforts of all of our students. They are always keen to look after those less fortunate and often go the extra mile to do whatever they can to support such worthwhile causes.”

North West Cancer Research has committed to funding more than £13million worth of cancer research over the next five years.