STAFF and students at Skipton Girls’ High School have raised money for the local Rotary Club to buy a Shelterbox.

The fundraising was kickstarted by technology teacher Simon Kutneskov, who entered the Mongol Rally Challenge in August,

He and his team mates drove through a number of countries and areas where previous Shelterboxes had been dispatched, helping people from all walks of life to rebuild their lives following disasters and conflicts. Simon said: "Throughout the rally we realised how small the world is - you can drive for two weeks and be in some of the most hostile areas in the world which we read about in the news day to day. Experiencing these places first-hand has made our fundraising for Shelterbox even more significant and poignant."

Inspired by his year ten students, Simon embarked on a fundraising campaign.

His technology pupils designed and made wristbands, T-shirts and other products to sell around the school community and food technology students had a bake-off challenge, selling their treats at lunch time and raising £318 in just 45 minutes!

And engineering students used their skills to make useful tools for the trip, helping the team to film its adventure and make it to the finish line.

Now, the students are waiting to see where in the world the Shelterbox will be sent.

"This has been an epic achievement by the students at SGHS and we hope to support Shelterbox again in the future," said a school spokesman.