STUDENTS from a Darlington academy raised almost £600 for charity by taking part in a dance festival – and hope to swell the coffers to more than £1,000.

Longfield Academy raised funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust by selling tickets and refreshments for the festival.

It is hoped that a non-uniform day will help push the fundraising to more than £1,000.

The Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young cancer patients.

The charity asked supporters to use their imagination and organise a fundraising event to raise funds for the six young people aged between 13 and 24 diagnosed with cancer every day.

A spokesman for the academy’s BTEC dance group said: “We are really pleased by how well the night went and the amount of money we have raised for Teenage Cancer Trust.

“A massive thank you to the local community for supporting us.”

Traditionally treated alongside children or elderly patients at the end of their lives, young people can feel extremely isolated during treatment, some never meeting another young person with cancer.

Being treated alongside others their own age can make a huge difference to their whole experience.

Teenage Cancer Trust builds specialist units within NHS hospitals bringing young people together to be treated by teenage cancer experts in a place designed just for them.

To find out more, visit teenagecancertrust.org