Hundreds of staff and pupils at a school are to undertake a series of challenges to raise money in support of a teacher's brother.

Royal Russell School have got behind PE teacher Sarah Culliford and her brother Andrew, who is suffering from Motor Neurone Disease (MND), acondition which causes the slow paralysis of the body.

Miss Culliford, 25, wanted to do something to help Andrew and MND Association charity, and asked senior students and colleagues to participate in the 66 mile Vanguard Way walk from Croydon to Newhaven.

She said: "The response was phenomenal with 250 staff and pupils dedicating the weekend of June 14 to 16 to a fundraising effort which we have called the Vanguard Challenge.

"The scale of this is beyond my expectations and I am humbled by the school’s support of Andrew, our family and the charity."

Over one third of pupils have signed up to the walk, while others have been inspired to hold their own events with a '66 theme,' including a 6.6 hour Zumbathon and a 66 mile ski trip and kayak route.

One student Jack Stone, 14, will complete a 66 mile swim in the school pool.

Deputy Headteacher David Selby said: "I was astounded, not only by the sheer numbers pledging to walk, run and cycle some or all of the distance, but by the individual ideas in which the challenge could be developed. We even have a group horse riding."