PUPILS from Warminster School took on the challenge of a 10-mile sponsored walk to raise £650 for Go Blue for Lucia.

Year 9 pupils completed the walk as part of their annual Community Action Day, an event organised on the last day of the summer term for the whole school each year to encourage good deeds in the community.

Younger pupils at the school worked hard clearing paths and churchyards while sixth formers packed shopping bags in Waitrose to raise money for Wessex Multiple Sclerosis Charity and visited primary school to encourage sporting achievement or hear children read.

Tom Morrison, head of PE at the school, said: “It seemed particularly relevant to them this year to have Go Blue as our nominated charity for the Year 9 walk.

“Lucia was a shining example of a young person who made a difference despite great adversity, and we’d like to encourage our pupils to look up to people like her.”

Pupils chose Go Blue For Lucia for their chosen charity as Lucia, who passed away last summer after a year-long battle with cancer, had become friends with some of them after they attended her 5k charity race in October 2014.

Anna Mercer, from the charity, went with the pupils on their walk.

She said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the response from the pupils.

“All pupils year were interested in what Lucia had been through, and what she did to help other people while she was ill.

“I’ve asked them to consider what they’d like us to do with the money, but I hope they will choose to put it towards the new teenage ward in Bristol Children’s Hospital.

“It’s a small, dedicated ward for 11-16 year olds that has cool things for young people like a jukebox, gaming room, and chill out zone.”

Go Blue For Lucia are working with Time is Precious to equip the teenage ward.

Their other projects include raising funds for Childrens Hospice South West, making pyjamas for Wrap Pyjama Fairies and providing parents of hospitalised children with supply bags containing essentials that they may not have had time to pack.

To find out more, visit www.goblueforlucia.com