FARNHAM De Meric School of Dance leapt into action to raise £2,333 for Teenage Cancer Trust, with a special performance of The Nutcracker ballet.

The charity is close to the heart of school principal Aurelia Whitfield, because her niece Claudia Monger was diagnosed with Hodgins Lymphoma 18 months ago. Claudia is now in remission after successful treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

More than 200 students took part in the ballet and the funds were swelled by t-shirt sales, raffle tickets, donations and a sponsored mufti event.

Thanks to the Teenage Cancer Trust there is a ‘chill out room’ at the Royal Marsden unit, with a small kitchen, games consoles, DVDs, a TV and a jukebox for teenaged patients.

Claudia has taken a year out of her A-level studies at Godalming College to attend her hospital appointments and treatment. She helped with the ballet production behind the scenes, organising costumes, assisting with rehearsals and backstage meetings, and helping to sew costumes for the Nutcracker dancers.

“I am delighted to announce that the de Meric School of Dance has raised this amazing sum the Teenage Cancer Trust,” Mrs Whitfield said. “I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated and helped raise such a large amount.”