GIVING Nation Week has been marked at Teesside Preparatory and High School for Girls, in Eaglescliffe, with a week of fundraising events and a celebration of work by pupils to help in the local and global community.

At a ceremony on Friday, MP Dari Taylor presented awards to girls who have played a significant role in charity work.

Each year, the school supports a number of charities, and all pupils are encouraged to give money and time to help causes.

They have recently been collecting items to be donated to the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline charity and raising sponsorship from the Race for Life held at the school in aid of Cancer Research UK.

One class also held an afternoon of games and activities and raised £150 for Cancer Relief.

The school has also raised funds for Teesside and Hartlepool Hospices. Year 11 students, who have completed their GCSEs, returned to school for a day to take part in World Challenge Day, which included learning about the issues affecting developing countries.

Ms Taylor said: "What you are doing is fantastic and will make a difference. Please keep it up."

Ms Taylor also opened a Bright Futures Nursery at the school following a £50,000 building extension.

An enlarged play area has created space for water play, wet and dry sand, and art, cooking and science areas.