A school will unite in support of a huge running team next weekend as it raises money in memory of a pupil and teacher who both died of cancer.

On Sunday (October 11), 116 pupils, alumni, teachers, parents and a chaplain from Chigwell School will run together in the Royal Parks Foundation half marathon in London.

The team from the High Road school will be raising money for Cancer Research UK after pupil Grace Boxall died from brain cancer just five days before her 16th birthday in 2013.

They will also be running in memory of Andrew McKenzie, a housemaster and head of physics at the school who died in June 2014 after suffering from throat cancer.

The group of fundraisers, many of them running for the first time, have been organised by school manager Gill Punt.

She said: “I’m delighted to have inspired others to get involved and raise money for Cancer Research UK.

“As I cross the finish line I’ll be on a real high - exhilarated but exhausted.

“I’ll be making sure the whole team is ok, whether they’ve walked, jogged, plodded or sprinted to the finish.

“This is a real team effort.”

Ms Punt led a team of 41 runners from the school at the same event in 2014.

A school spokesman said: “Everyone at the school was so inspired by her running and fundraising that they wanted to get involved.

“This led her to enter the Chigwell team which is going from strength to strength.”

Poppy Spencer, an executive at Cancer Research UK, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the team from Chigwell School has decided to attempt such a great challenge to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

“They have been doing lots of preparation and we’re sure they are going to have an amazing experience.

“We can’t thank the runners enough for their support and want to wish them the very best on the day.”

To donate to the team’s fundraising appeal, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GillPunt.