A GROUP of York students are preparing for a skiing holiday with a difference – as they take to the slopes to boost a cancer charity.

The sixth-formers from Bootham School will be heading to the Alpine resort of Val d’Isere next month to take on one of the toughest and chilliest challenges it has to offer – clad only in their boxer shorts.

The six-strong group of friends are braving the freezing temperatures to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, and Dominic Harker, one of those who will be running the sub-zero gauntlet, said: “A few of us have felt the grief of losing a family member or dealing with somebody with cancer.

“We felt a lot of people would be able to sympathise with us and the aims of the Marie Curie charity, so we tried to think of the craziest thing we could do, and this was it – skiing down the slope in our boxers!”

The idea has already seen £800 pledged by family and friends. Dominic said: “We are really keen to make the most of this opportunity and we will be posting a video on YouTube and Facebook.”