PUPILS from Alva Academy collectively skied more than 100 miles non-stop at the weekend, to raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Support Charity.

Gemma Watt, who works for the school, and whose son took part in the “skiathon”, said the whole event was the work of the pupils.

She told the Advertiser: “Quite a lot of skiers go to Alva Academy, and pupils across all year groups took part in the fundraiser.

“It was the S6 pupils who organised the event and got kids together and held meetings to plan it in the few weeks running up to it.”

The skiathon saw 16 pupils ski non-stop from 9am to 4pm, albeit with refreshment breaks, at the Firpark Ski Slope in Tillicoultry on Sunday, September 16.

In total, the pupils collectively skied down the slope 1636 times – working out at a staggering 122 miles, the same distance from Tillicoultry to Aberdeen.

Despite the mammoth effort, Gemma claimed everyone who took part enjoyed the day.

She said: “The pupils were happy and relaxed afterwards and just chilled out.

“I think it was really good fun for them. One of their teachers even got a chance to learn to ski on the same day so that made it good fun too.”

As well as the pupils raising money for charity, parents also chipped in by baking treats and selling them at the ski slopes.

The pupils and parents have yet to work out how much money they all raised in total – but are hoping it will be enough to help the Macmillan charity with its work.