Generous children and families from Chilton Primary School have raised and donated more than £1000 for the Royal Marsden specialist cancer hospital.

The impressive effort saw the whole school decked out in bright colours carrying Marsden balloons as they proudly walked in relays from the school in Chilton Lane to the historic Viking Ship at Pegwell Bay and back.

The sponsored March for Marsden was a celebration of Year 4 pupil who has successfully completed three and a half years treatment for leukaemia at the Marsden.

Kate Law, who is Chilton Head of School and Director of Education, was overwhelmed with the way the school community responded.

She said: “We are always pleased to support fantastic causes such as the Royal Marsden cancer charity – and it has an extra special meaning for our children, staff and families because we are celebrating a successful outcome for one of our pupils.

“We felt it was important to support and celebrate a member of our community in this way. Children voluntarily raised sponsorship or brought in donations and we are absolutely over the moon to have raised more than £1000.

“It was a lovely bright late winter’s day with a hint of spring in the air – there was such a positive feeling about our walk and all our year groups looked splendid in their bright clothes and with the multi-colour balloons they carried.”

The Royal Marsden opened its doors in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education.

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raises money solely to support The Royal Marsden. Its online statement says: “With your help we can ensure our nurses, doctors and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments which are used here in the UK and around the world.

“From funding state-of-the-art equipment and ground-breaking research, to creating the best patient environments, we never stop looking for ways to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.” Find out more online at www.royalmarsden.org.

Chilton Primary is a member of the Viking Academy Trust with Ramsgate Arts Primary and Upton Juniors, Broadstairs.

For more information contact Kate Law, Head of School and Director of Education, on 01843 597695.