Staff played sixth-formers at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys in a football match to honour the memory of pupil Chad Mulholland.

The game raised £375 for St Ann’s Hospice in the latest Junior Chad’s Challenge, part of a major fundraising initiative which has seen £89,000 donated to charity.

It is led by Chad’s mum Michelle and Gill Williamson, the school’s Sixth Form Administrator, who became best friends after Chad died of Hodgkin lymphoma in 2008 aged 17.

The Altrincham duo have helped stage or encourage around 100 various Chad’s Challenges as part of The Hope Fund.

Their efforts were recognised with a British Citizen Award for services for volunteering and charitable giving at a prestigious ceremony at the Palace of Westminster.

Gill said: “Our main objectives are to raise lots of money, have fun, make people smile and keep the special memory of Chad alive within the school and wider community.”

Michelle said: “I do what I do because it’s my way of keeping my son’s memory alive. Chad wanted to raise money for others, so it was something I could carry on and do for him.

“It’s still really hard for me to go back into his school but I can take comfort that everyone there is so lovely. I can’t thank them enough for the support they’ve shown us over the years.”