STUDENTS from a school in Basingstoke have raised more than £22.5k as part of a fundraising week, to give back to the community.

Pupils at Queen Mary's College, in Cliddesden Road, took part in a social action week. First-year students formed groups, devising ideas to raise money to reach a fundraising target of £200.

One group crocheted jellyfish for premature babies to send to Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Basingstoke and Portsmouth Hospitals, while another took part in a charity tennis event. 

READ MORE: Queen Mary's College students raise money for youth club with charity tennis event

The teams of students (Image: QMC)

Other ideas included a 24-hour live-streamed esports tournament, in addition to students cycling the distance from Wembley to Berlin. Other pupils created and sold their own artwork, with another group rowing the distance from Dover to Calais and back.

Cycling the length of the English Channel, a range of sponsored walks, portrait photography of the public, swimming 12km and doing henna designs were other fundraisers created by QMC students.

As part of the Portacabin Project, pupils painted a mural for Headway Basingstoke. A spokesperson for the non-profit said: "We at Headway are in total awe of their talents and what they have produced – it has turned out far better than we ever could have imagined, we can’t stop looking at it!

"The group were all very polite and respectful, and just an overall treat to have with us. I want to highlight one student in particular, Edith, who was a fantastic leader and brought a real sense of ease to the group.

"We at Headway are very, very appreciative for having QMC’s support in this. Thank you to you both for helping to get this organised and please send our utmost appreciation and gratitude to the group once again."

The first-year students raised a sum of more than £22.5k from the fundraisers, with many groups raising more than triple their goal.

Principal Mark Henderson commented: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to UNLOC and the local community for their unwavering support during Queen Mary’s College’s first Social Action Week.

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Some teams raised more than triple their goal (Image: QMC)

"This initiative has provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to engage with and contribute to their community, and the results have been nothing short of inspiring.

"I am immensely proud of our students for their dedication, creativity, and hard work. They have not only raised significant funds for various charities but have also demonstrated exceptional teamwork and resilience.

"The skills they have utilised and developed throughout this week will undoubtedly benefit them in their future endeavours.

"Congratulations to all the students on their remarkable achievements. Your efforts have made a real difference, and I am confident that this experience will leave a lasting impact on both you and our community. Well done!”