GENEROUS pupils at Welling School have raised £500 for a children’s charity that cared for their friend before he sadly passed away last year.

chYps Children’s Hospice at Home, based in Dartford, provided vital care and support to year nine pupil Michael Constantinou and his family after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009.

Despite going into remission, the cancer returned and Michael sadly passed away in July last year, aged just 13.

Moved by the loss of their dear friend, year nine pupils from the Elsa Road School decided to fundraise for chYps in Michael’s memory and in the last few months have organised cake sales and a raffle.

Michael’s mum Julie, from Welling, said: "I want to say a big thank you to Michael’s friends and teachers for helping to raise money for such an important local charity.

"We are so thankful to all the chYps nurses who were involved in Michael’s care on a daily basis.

"Their care came from the heart, not just because it was their job." On Wednesday 11 December Michael’s friends presented the charity with a £500 cheque at the year nine school assembly.

The money will help chYps to provide vital hospice care in the homes of seriously ill babies, children and young people across Bexley borough and throughout Kent.

Tessa Youens from the charity, said: "chYps is honoured and so grateful to receive this money from the school in Michael’s memory.

"As a charity we must raise over £1.47 million every year to be able to provide cancer, respite and end-of-life care to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

"This money will enable us to provide this vital hospice at home care free of charge to even more families who need our help."

Welling School will be supporting chYps throughout 2014 as its nominated Charity of the Year.

To find out more about the charity and how you can help, visit www.chyps.org