ATHLETIC youngsters are staging their own charity race after their teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Nadine Morgan, an English teacher at Brayton College who lives in York, said she has been humbled by the reaction of her class to news of her illness.

Students in form 8NMO at Brayton College wept when they heard that their teacher had been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.

But their sadness turned to determination, and the 12 and 13-year-olds have since raised thousands of pounds for charity, and sent regular emails of support.

They are even running their own "pyjama race" at the school to raise money to help research the disease - after they tried to enter this year's Race for Life, but failed to get a place because it was over-subscribed.

Mrs Morgan said: "The hardest thing was telling my own form about cancer. I didn't want to go into too much detail, but as soon as you mention cancer they are frightened of it.

"I explained to them what it was, what the treatment was going to involve and why I couldn't be there to teach them."

But Mrs Morgan was surprised at the reaction she got.

She said: "They have been fantastic. I am amazed at how mature they have been about it. They treated me like royalty when I went into school to see them - it was as if I had become Queen for the day.

"Their response was so amazing I feel better for having told them, rather than keeping it to myself.

"When I was driving into school, the news on the radio was all about school discipline and kids running riot. I thought to myself, yes, there are problems with discipline in schools, but my students have been just wonderful - they obviously know all about empathy, citizenship and doing things for others.

"The school has been great and the kids have been brilliant. They have been so lovely - and this has certainly brought out the best in them."

Since her visit, her class have been washing cars and seeking sponsorship, and are hoping to raise more than £3,000 for the Breast Cancer Campaign charity.

Mrs Morgan, 35, has been a teacher at Brayton for four years. She lives in Heslington, York, with her husband and two children. Since the diagnosis she has undergone a mastectomy and is half way through a course of chemotherapy.

She said: "It all goes a bit over my seven-year-old daughter's head, but my 11-year-old son is very good.

"He is a thoughtful young boy who has taken it on board. Initially they were both upset, but they seem to have taken it in their stride.

"At least it means I am at home so I can be a taxi service for them when I'm feeling well enough."

Updated: 10:18 Wednesday, June 01, 2005