STROUD High School was a whirl of fundraising activities last week, as pupils spent their lunch breaks raising money during Rag Week.

The youngsters organised a wide range of activities in aid of Operation Restoration, a charity which helps homeless youngsters in Bolivia, South America.

The charity was chosen in memory of Simon Hale, a former Marling School pupil who died of leukaemia at the age of 14 in 2002.

Simon, from Burleigh, had been very moved by the plight of the street children after hearing a talk by Roger Hulford, who works out in Bolivia.

After his death, Simon's family set about raising money in his name and managed a staggering total of £6,600.

The money helped build a children's home in Santa Cruz, where a plaque was placed in Simon's honour.

This week the fundraising continued and all the proceeds from Rag Week will go to Operation Restoration.

Mr Hulford visited Stroud High School in September to outline the work of the charity.

Highlights of Rag Week included Top of the Flops, a talent contest with a twist, a male beauty contest to find Mr Downfield and the hilarious Battle of The Sexes, in which male and female teachers competed against each other.

Five male and five female teachers did everything from putting their hands in boxes of maggots to trying to talk with their mouths stuffed full of marshmallows.

Finally, the women scored a narrow victory, thanks to an enthusiastic reception of their interpretation of singer Whigfield's hit Saturday Night.

Money raised from the week's activities is still being counted, but it is hoped that together with other fundraising events throughout the year, a total of around £10,000 will be raised for Operation Restoration.