MORE than 400 pupils and staff climbed a snowy Box Hill to raise money for charity.

Every student and member of staff at Box Hill School was given the day off to participate in the annual challenge, which this year also marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the school trust.

The walk raised money for a variety of charities chosen by students, including children's charities Barnados, Happy Child International and Leatherhead-based Rainbow Trust.

Headmaster Mark Eagers said: "Our annual ascent of the hill is a great celebration, and something we've been doing for nearly 50 years as a school.

"It's wonderful to have the chance to do something like this in the snow, and it's something the children will remember for the rest of their lives."

Some students wore fancy dress to assist with their fundraising efforts, while one brought a pet dog on the climb.

Pupil Rory Edwards, 14, said: "It was good to get to walk up the hill in the snow and chat to your friends, but know you were helping people at the same time."

Lena Kefer, 15, added: "The best part was that we were doing something as a community, the whole school was coming together to achieve something."

The route of the four-mile sponsored walk was altered slightly at the last minute to account for the recent heavy snowfall in Mole Valley, but walkers finished the challenge.

Amanda Dumble, communications assistant at the school, said: "A number of snowball fights were inevitable as the students relaxed at the summit before the descent back to school for hot chocolate and cookies.

"It was a great day and I'm sure that everybody who took part will be looking forward to raising more money next year.

"We haven't quite calculated how much was raised by the climb yet but that's because it was a lot."

But the climb on February 8 was only part of the fundraising effort, as students and teachers went on participate in a variety show in front of more than 300 people that evening.

Among the 22 acts were a street dancing troupe, a magic show, a staff band and a variety of comedy sketches – including one by headmaster Mark Eagers.

The three-hour show, in aid of international school charity Round House Projects, raised more than £800.