PUPILS from Thornden School, Chandler’s Ford, have raised £7,500 for Canine Partners – a charity that trains dogs to help disabled people.

The money raised allowed the organization to purchase a golden retriever, which the pupils named Heskey, and put him through training to become a canine partner.

The then Year 7s raised the money with a sponsored track event, that 280 students took part in, and multiple cake sales. This took the amount raised up to £6342.32, and the then year 8s managed to push the final amount raised to £7,500 with their fundraising activities.

Head of Year 8 at Thornden School, Lisa Welch, said: “We are so delighted to have raised enough to pay for Heskey and put him through training. I am proud of their efforts.

“The pupils had a competition to name him and he has already been in to pay us a visit with his puppy parent Ali Bailey, which was wonderful.

“Our efforts have also raised awareness of Canine Partners throughout the school and taught the pupils how to behave around a working dog. We are looking forward to following Heskey’s training as he learns valuable tasks such as picking up dropped items, opening doors and much more.”