PUPILS at a York secondary school have had all lessons suspended for a day to take part in a healthy activities fundraising event.

A spokesman for All Saints’ RC School said the pupils raised thousands of pounds for good causes by taking on several challenges.

Two hundred Year 11 pupils were put through their paces in tag rugby by York City Knights stars Joe and Jack Stearman, both former pupils of the school.

Meanwhile, pupils experienced the skills of York City FC’s Football In The Community coaches Pete Vasey and Dan Palmer, and took part in activities ranging from body combat and yoga, to breakdancing and dodgeball.

Year 9 pupils and their form tutors had an all-day sponsored walk along the Selby/York cycle track to raise money for a number of charities, including the NSPCC and Cancer Research, and Year 8 pupils wore fancy dress for a sponsored run around Knavesmire to raise £3,000 for the Catholic Child Care charity.

Not to be outdone, Year 7 pupils took part in a sponsored swim and silence with their funds going to HCPT to support the trust’s residential centre near Lourdes, which takes nearly 2,000 pilgrims a year, many of whom have disabilities or special needs. These guests stay for a week between Easter and November.

The school spokesman said: “The pupils really entered into the spirit of the day raising thousands of pounds for various charities and are a credit to the school.”