Seven Shefford schoolboys who completed 24 hours of non-stop gaming for charity have handed over a cheque for almost £900 to the BBC Children in Need appeal.

Jack Careem, Peter Belisario, Jake Racher, Harrison Ball, Jack Erick, Charlie Williams and Finley Hampson – all in Year 6 at Robert Bloomfield Academy – raised £867.09 with their gameathon, which has resulted in radio and TV appearances.

Jack, 10, was interviewed on BBC Three Counties Radio after the team completed the challenge at his home in Meppershall.

Several of the boys were then on the regional Children in Need live appeal show, which was filmed at the East Anglian Railway Museum in Colchester.

Jack told the Comet on Saturday that the experience had been “kind of a bit overwhelming, but also really cool”.

“I think the best part would probably be the night we got on TV,” he said.

“It was really cool actually being there with all the bands and everyone else. It was just all really, really great.”

The challenge was held from 10am to 10am during the boys’ half-term break, with the help of Jack’s mum Su and dog Buddy.

The boys played games on the Xbox and football outside, as well as board games including Monopoly, the Game of Life, Sorry, Guess Who, Catchphrase and Trivial Pursuit. Jack guessed they had played 24 games in all.

“It took a few days to recover after the challenge,” he said.

“I remember waking up and not being able to keep track of time.

“Next year I think we’ll do it even bigger and better, with more people and an even bigger place.”

Jack’s mum Su said: “It’s been a good experience, and it was all so last-minute. Watching the appeal show really brought home what this means and evens it all out.”

Jack thanked David Talbot from MVI Printers in Lower Stondon, who made up the team T-shirts free of charge, and Elliott from Vallo’s Barbershop in Shefford, who styled his hair before his TV appearance.

Standing in pride of place now in the Careem living room is a card of thanks from the Children in Need team.

The message inside reads: “Thank you so much for your hard work and generosity towards Children in Need. You are all incredible – we really appreciate your achievements.

“You have helped transform the lives of disadvantaged children and young people, right across the UK.”