ENERGETIC Polam Hall students completed a round-the-clock marathon sports event for charity.

Boarders and members of the School’s Combined Cadet Force tacked an exhausting 24-hours of non-stop games including football, basketball, dodge ball, badminton, rounders and table tennis.

More than 30 students aged 12 to 19 participated in the indoor and outdoor games extravaganza and collectively they hope to raise over a £1,000 for Walking with the Wounded, Diabetes UK and St Teresa’s Hospice.

Head of boarding, Jill Garvey, said the charities were chosen by the pupils themselves as several had personal connections with each cause.

She said: “It was a great event held in support of some worthwhile causes and one that brought fun and laughter along the way.

“It was especially pleasing to see how well they all rallied around to keep each other going.

“After a prompt 4.30pm start on Friday teatime they seemed to reach a low point later in the evening but thankfully this was soon staved off with a surprise pizza delivery at 11pm!”

Breakfast was served on a rota basis from 4.30am on the Saturday morning, through to mid-morning, with sports running continuously until 4.30pm.

Pupils chose the Bank Holiday weekend to allow two days to recover and catch up on missed sleep and by Tuesday morning everyone had bounced back for their return to lessons.

Headmaster, John Moreland, said that the charity event was as much an exercise in mental determination and teamwork as sporting prowess and that the emphasis was on learning new skills whilst raising funds and having a good time.

Donations can still be made at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Polam3