PUPILS at a Malvern school have raised £1,700 for a cancer charity after being spurred on by the experiences of a family affected by the disease.

Dyson Perrins students were inspired to fundraise by the story of twin brothers David and Andrew Parish, whose mother Jane Wood succumbed to cancer last month.

The brothers, who were in Year Eight at the school until they left Malvern to live with their father, raised more than £230 by selling Polly Puppies, badges and cakes during the first week of February.

Their efforts followed on from David's fundraising in September of last year, when he organised a disco that raised £200 for the charity.

He was awarded the Jeremy Cooper Memorial Cup at the school's annual prize-giving ceremony in December in recognition of his work, which was deemed to have brought "most distinction" to the school in 2001.

"David and Andrew have once again performed an amazing task in raising over £230 with their efforts," said Year Eight head Chris Finch.

"Not content with this, they persuaded the school's charity committee to support 'their' charity in a Valentine's Day event."

The committee, comprised of sixth form students, raised £932 by organising a non-uniform day and delivering roses and singing telegrams for Valentine's Day.

A group of Year 11 girls also raised £534 after managing to go 24 hours without uttering a single word.

The grand total of £1,7301 has been presented to Serena Dawe, of Cancer Research UK.

She gave a talk to Year Eight and the charity committee about her work with the charity, and how the money will be spent.