£1,600 raised in guide dog walkathon

Dozens of pupils, staff and members of the community joined a sponsored walkathon at The Brier School, in Kingswinford.

The event was organised as part of school project where the pupils learned about guide dogs and how they help and support their owners.

The school helped raise money towards funding the training costs for a new guide dog to be homed with someone in need in the Black Country.

Students were congratulated for their efforts by teachers who said their enthusiasm made the fundraising project a success.

The school's 150 pupils brought in money for the cause ahead of the walkathon.

Among them was five-year-old pupil Jayden Pinches who raised £500 for the charity.

Guide Dogs joined pupils for the walking event held at the school, in Bromley Lane.

Pupils were sponsored for a variety of distances on the day but all contributed to fundraising efforts.

Staff from the nearby Co-Operative store also helped by donating £85 to the charity project.

Volunteers from the HMRC, which regularly holds activities to help students prepare for life after leaving the school, also attended on the day.

And several parents also took part to make the day a resounding success, according to head teacher Russell Hinton.

"I'm really, really proud of the children. They have done so well and we have been totally surprised by how much they have raised," he said.

"All of the pupils and parents and relatives have helped raise money which has been great.

"It has been a real positive community event too."

With the school raising such a high amount for the guide dogs' charity, pupils will be able to name the dog they are supporting.

And students hope to call the new puppy Brier in honour of their school and its achievements during the fundraising campaign.

They will receive regular updates on the puppy's progress and staff hope it will be able to come into school one day to meet the children.