St Albans Girls School recently welcomed Jo Myerscough from the Lepra organisation who endeavour to change the lives of people affected by disease, poverty and prejudice.

She came to personally thank all year seven students and their families for the staggering amount of money they raised during their sponsored Zumba workouts in November last year, for which the overall final total has reached £3,506.

A special award was presented to the notably athletic pupil Antonia Jubb for being the number one top fundraiser the year group.

Individually she came up with the idea to do raise money through sports. Under the supervision of her father, who cycled alongside her, Antonia completed a non- stop 31 mile - 55 kilometre - sponsored cycle ride from St Albans to Windsor castle, raising £260.

Antonia said: “It took three hours without stopping, so it was quite full on and although I was tired by the end of it, I felt really proud that I did it.”

Whilst continuing to beam with pride she smiled and made one final comment: “When we got to Windsor I was pleased to see my mum waiting in the car park to drive us back to St Albans with our bikes.”