FUNDRAISERS scaled a 30ft telegraph pole and took a leap of faith as part of a Race for Life event.

The challenge included running a 3km race around the grounds of The King's Academy, Coulby Newham, scaling the pole and leaping into thin air to grab a trapeze.

More than £10,000 has been raised since the annual event began at the school in 2005.

Organiser Helen Smith said: “We have all been touched by cancer. My mam had breast cancer and quite a few of our staff have had it or know someone who has.

“It’s great that staff and students support the event every year and this time we thought we would add a new scary dimension – the high trapeze.”

Head of health and social care Vicky Smith was the first to tackle the death-defying leap of faith, which is one of the challenges on the academy’s ten metre high ropes course, which is used by students and available for community use.

“It was absolutely terrifying; I’m shaking,” she said. “But I felt I just had to do it and it was so rewarding. It’s an amazing cause and I get involved every year. My father-in-law had cancer and his treatment was incredible and he is clear of it now.”