STAFF and pupils at St Martin’s School in Northwood have chosen Michael Sobell Hospice as their charity of the year for 2017/2018.

Each year, the prep school selects a cause to support during the school year to raise money and awareness.

The school’s charity committee, made up of Year 7 and 8 pupils, will be getting their heads together in the coming weeks to devise a programme of fund-raising activities.

So far, ideas include a cake sale, Secret Santa, bob-a-job and a balloon race. Pupils are hoping to beat their target of £8,000 raised last year for Rickmansworth Waterways Trust.

Headmaster David Tidmarsh said: “This year, we were keen to support a local charity which helps local people. Often, the smaller charities get less attention but are no less important. Some of our pupils’ families have received fantastic care and support from the hospice.”

This year, Michael Sobell, based at Mount Vernon, is celebrating 40 years of providing  hospice care and support to patients and their families facing life-limiting illness. It needs to raise more than £1.6 million each year.