A Christmas ball held to commemorate a late pupil and teacher at a school has raised almost £9,000.

The money raised from the event at Forest School, Snaresbrook will be split between two charities, Cardiac Risk in the Young (C-R-Y) and Cancer Research UK.

Aashi Sinha, a year 13 pupil at the school, died unexpectedly at the age of 18 on May 8 due to heart failure.

The event also commemorated teacher Tracey Alves, who lost her battle with cancer in August 2012, aged 46.

A representative of C-R-Y, Emma Jackson, who was diagnosed at 13 with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, spoke at the event and a raffle was held with prizes including Leyton Orient match tickets and signed football boots from Manchester City player Sergio Aguero.

Performances took place from the school’s big band and dance group, the Fusion Girls, followed by a disco.