CHARITABLE students dressed down and saved up to help good causes.

The youngsters at Thurstable School, in Tiptree, took part in a charity day.

Thomas Wright, 14, went above and beyond when he had his head shaved to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Headteacher Miles Bacon said each year group adopted a charity, with Year 7 supporting Help for Heroes, Year8Macmillan and Great Ormond Street Hospital while Year 9 sponsored a child’s education in Senegal, through Action Aid.

The youngsters in Year 10 took on the mantle for Cancer Research and Little Havens Children’s Hospice, while Year 11 chose Clic Sargent for children with Cancer. Sixth formers selected the Philippines Typhoon Appeal as their charity.

Tom Evans, head of Year 10, and drama teacher Mick Baines got involved by agreeing to be “sponged’’, in return for donations.

Cake sales also helped boost the coffers.

The total, with cash still coming in, topped £1,000, including £250 in sponsorship for Thomas’s hair sacrifice.

Mr Bacon was full of praise for the students and said encouraging the principles of charitable deeds was a good life lesson.

He said: “We think it important children are personally involved with the charity.

“It was a fun day, but it also gave students an opportunity to make a difference in the wider community, which is important.

“Raising money for charity also gives the young people a sense of well-being from doing good deeds for others.

“It means we are getting a more caring society and there are not many things more important than that.’’