A SCHOOL which is hoping to attain specialist status is £1,000 nearer its fundraising target, thanks to help from Darlington Football Club.

Hurworth Comprehensive School, near Darlington, needs to raise £50,000 to bid for specialist status as a mathematics and computing college.

The Quakers have helped out twice by letting students use the club's Feethams ground for fundraising.

Pupils held a sponsored silly walk and fancy dress around the ground, which has so far netted £663, with money still coming in.

Last Friday, the club allowed pupils to collect cash in buckets and raffle a football during the friendly match with Newcastle United, which raised just over £300.

School spokeswoman Rita Rees said: "That's nearly £1,000 the football club has helped us raise by letting us use their facilities and we are very grateful to them."

The school needs to raise just over £9,500 to reach its target before the October 1 deadline for its bid.

Mrs Rees said: "We have got irons in the fire, but we have not got many more events and we are desperate for donations."

Anyone who wishes to help with the fundraising effort can contact the school on (01325) 720424.