Sixth Formers and teachers have been raising money for their annual festive appeal in London’s East End by carrying out all sorts of odd jobs.

Activities and tasks have included washing cars, even in the cold, wintry outdoors.

But the youngsters at Stepney’s Bishop Challoner Secondary braved the chill with another fund-booster—a chili-eating contest which was bound to raise the temperature.

They also held cake sales, milk-shake making and even a staff quiz.

The students and teachers notched up £1,375 which has been split between two charities, £600 for Poplar’s St Francis family centre and £775 for the Saturday Club charity which runs activities for those with disabilities.

The money was spent on Christmas presents which were packed into the school’s minibus and delivered by the Sixth-formers.

“Children will wake up with presents because of us,” Year 13’s Sarah Tesfaldet beamed. “It makes us feel good that we’ve made a difference.”

The school’s Chaplaincy assistant, Terry Graham, was over the moon by the students’ festive efforts throughout the month.

“It was wonderful to see them so engaged in the practice of almsgiving,” he said. “This is of central importance to the lives of charity which we are called to live.”

One of the Heads of Bishop Challoner Sixth Form, Andrew Warburton, spoke before the end-of-term break of the school’s pride in playing its part in the East End, where “good communities support one another”. The school was “giving something back to the community”.