Pupils at Farnborough Hill were thrilled to learn they have earned a Ruby Star Award from charity giant Comic Relief, a special award in honour of forty years of Comic Relief to recognise the extraordinary dedication of long-term supporters of the charity.

Each Red Nose Day For the past four years, Year 11 pupils have been taking on a 24-hour endurance challenge where they work in teams to keep exercise bikes or cross trainers moving for 24 hours straight. The brain child of the Class of 2024, the girls were motivated by the thought of a shared experience, something which they could all be a part of, which held even deeper meaning given they had missed out on several terms of classroom-based education and all the extra-curricular activities which were unable to run as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Building on the success of the first year, following cohorts took up the baton, raising more and more money each year. To date, the pupils have raised over £25,000 for Comic Relief – a truly incredible achievement which is only possible with the girls’ hard work and the support of the wider school community.

Headmistress, Maria Young, was delighted for the girls, commenting: ‘The endurance challenge is a highlight in the School calendar and to have the girls’ commitment recognised with a prestigious award such as this is brilliant. It is one of the highlights of our annual Charity week which takes place during the Lent season of giving, and is a cornerstone of our commitment to supporting those in need and encouraging pupils in charitable endeavours. I am very proud of the girls.’

For the pupils to receive this award in the fortieth year of Comic Relief and in their fourth year of concentrated fundraising efforts for the charity is an added accolade of which they are very proud.