TWO Winchester schoolboys have raised nearly £2,000 after taking on a 24-hour music challenge.

Mike Wimbush and Nathan Man, pupils at The Pilgrims’ School, planned to raise money for the Key Changes charity through a ‘Musicathon’ as their Year 8 Leavers’ Project.

The 13-year-olds began at 1pm last Friday, and were joined along the way by different groups of staff, parents and pupils, including the school choirs, orchestras and bands.

Following the challenge, the boys said: “It’s been an incredible experience. The 24 hours was exhausting, but lots of fun!

“We made it through thanks to the amazing support we had from everyone in the Pilgrims’ community: boys, teachers and parents playing; parents popping in with donuts at 1am and boarders appearing in dressing gowns at 7am to support.”

So far, they have raised £1,935 for the Winchester-based charity, and are expecting to receive more donations soon.

Key Changes organises a professional music therapy service supporting all ages, and the money raised by Mike and Nathan will be used to support the service at Lanterns Nursery in Bereweeke Road.

A spokesperson from the charity said: “Thank you for all your hard work and enthusiasm pulling this exciting Musicathon together. Playing all night, it’s absolutely amazing!”