WHEN 11-year-old Imogen O’Donnell’s grandpa was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, she and her younger sister Anya were determined to do something “to help find a cure”.

Both girls are pupils of St Ives, Haslemere, and Imogen was thrilled when she got the backing of the whole school, after leading a special assembly, to hold a sponsored silence to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The sponsored silence, which raised an impressive £3,007 for the charity, lasted all morning until lunch time and all lessons had been planned to be carried out without speaking.

Imogen said: “My grandpa is the most determined person I know and I am determined to do something to help find a cure.

“The more money they receive, the sooner they can find a cure for this terrible disease.”