PUPILS have raised more than £1,300 for a charity which supports Swindon families with children suffering from cancer and leukaemia.

St Margaret’s Preparatory School, Calne has chosen CALM – the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement, as its charity of the year and will be fundraising until the end of the summer term 2018. Pupils were given an insight into the work of the charity, which was set up by parents of sick children in 1984, when Karen Schofield from CALM visited the school to give a talk in an assembly.

The first collection for the Swindon based charity came from a Christmas themed mufti day, as well as the retiring collection from the school’s Carol Service.

Headmistress Karen Cordon said: “Children paid £1 for the privilege of wearing Mufti and also took part in some fun activities and had the chance to buy a delicious range cakes and biscuits. Parents also joined in some of the events including the Carol singing.”

A spokesman for CALM said: “CALM aims to improve the quality of life for both the children going through treatment, and the parents and families during and after treatment. CALM provides support to families to cope with physical, emotional and often financial strain. It is not uncommon for other members of the family to suffer stress related illness.”