A BILLINGHAM teenager grieving for the loss of her cousin persuaded fellow students to go hungry in a good a cause.

Rebecca Parkin, 18, explained her cousin died last year and so she and fellow students at Stockton Riverside College's Bede Sixth Form gave up food for 24 hours to raise cash for Cruse Bereavement Care.

A total of 17 staff and students played their part in the sponsored fast, among them SRC Bede Sixth Form Director Rick Wells.

Having been helped by the bereavement counselling service herself, Ms Parkin said: “I wanted to give something back. I was overwhelmed by the number of people that agreed to get involved and the amount of people who sponsored us as well,” said Rebecca, of Billingham.

Her friend, Kyla Whittaker, 18, of Stockton, added: “It was pretty tough and I could feel my tummy rumbling by the end, but it was worth it knowing that it was for such a good cause.”

Rebecca planted a tree in the college’s eco garden and then brought all the participating students together to brave the last few hours side by side. The psychology, and sociology student said: “It was tougher for some than others, but we all helped one another, we all did really well.”

Cruse Bereavement Care offers individual and group support following the death of someone close. Its bereavement counselling services are delivered by trained bereavement support volunteers across the UK.