Pupils from Raynes Park High School are busy working on a project to raise awareness and funds for charities close to their hearts.

The school in Bushey Road is taking part in the First Give programme, where schools can win £1,000 for worthy organisations.

Among them, Year 9 students Megan Bicknell and Katie Robinson both in Year 9 are hoping to win the cash for a world horse welfare charity.

They are fighting for a cause close to their hearts and reached out to 16 horse loving celebrities and managed to get a retweet from Zara Phillips Tindall.

Their head teacher Kirsten Heard said: “We are less than a week into this year’s First Give programme and have been blown away by students' enthusiasm for raising awareness and fundraising for charities close to their hearts.

“The selflessness and commitment which students have already demonstrated is admirable and we are thrilled to work alongside First Give again to nurture these valuable traits which so many of our students have in abundance.

“Funding from Jack Petchey Foundation has enabled us to continue to take part in this worthwhile initiative every year for which our students are incredibly grateful.”

She added: “Raynes Park High School has been participating in First Give for a number of years and it has proven to be an excellent scheme which enables our students to raise money for their chosen charities alongside honing their

presenting, teamwork and research skills.

“We certainly look forward to watching the final at Raynes Park High School in March, where our students will give a short presentation about the social action they have undertaken and class will win an additional £1,000 grant for their charity.”