TEACHERS at a York school put their weight behind a new fundraising drive.

About ten members of staff and friends from Poppleton Road Primary School came up with a novel way to raise cash for a school project – by shedding the pounds for sponsorship money.

Over a 13 week period a team of ten went along to classes run by independent wellness coach Rachel Snowden and had weekly weigh-ins to see how much they had lost.

The overall winner of the challenge was the school’s head teacher, Debbie Glover, who lost 22lbs and dropped a dress size from a 14 to a 12.

In total the team raised £336 for the school which is being put towards making a mosaic which the children will be involved in creating.

Ms Glover said: “We just thought it was a different way to fundraise and we are really pleased with our total.

“I’ve already contacted the artists who are going to make the mosaic and every single child in school will have a part making it. I didn’t radically change my diet to lose the weight, but I did try and eat more healthily and exercised, doing fitness classes and going swimming.”

The school also did a weekly raffle raising £105 for the City of York Afghanistan Memorial.

Ms Glover said: “We saw the charity in The Press and thought it would be great to support a local charity.”

The City of York Afghanistan Memorial Appeal was launched four months ago to recognise the courage and sacrifice of York’s sons and daughters in Afghanistan, by creating a permanent memorial in the city centre.

The Press and a raft of local people and organisations, including the families of the three York servicemen killed in Afghanistan, City of York Council, York Minster Stoneyard and York Civic Trust, came together to launch an appeal for £200,000 to fund the project.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation should send cheques payable to The City of York Afghanistan Commemorative Appeal to Mike Laycock, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.

Any business or individual wanting to raise funds should phone Mike on 01904 567132 or email mike.laycock@thepress.co.uk