A school has launched a fundraising appeal so 80 students can continue to compete in the UK arm of a global competition after winning a regional heat.

The Comet: Harry Welham was among the individual winners in Rock Challenge at the Gordon Craig Theatre.Harry Welham was among the individual winners in Rock Challenge at the Gordon Craig Theatre. (Image: Archant)

Marriotts School in Stevenage has set up a Go Fund Me page online to raise the £2,750 needed for pupils to represent the region in Rock Challenge UK.

The annual competition sees young people work with teachers to put together a production from scratch and then perform it live.

The event, which is also held in Australia, Japan and Dubai, is organised by the Be Your Best Foundation which encourages young people to lead healthy lifestyles and shun tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

The Brittain Way school saw off competition from other students in Herts – as well as London, Buckinghamshire, Northampton and Berkshire – to win the regional heat at the Gordon Craig Theatre with their ancient Chinese-themed performance.

The Comet: Marriotts School swept the board in the previous heat of Rock Challenge.Marriotts School swept the board in the previous heat of Rock Challenge. (Image: Archant)

Claiming 13 of the 14 individual awards along the way, Marriotts will not be able to go forward to the national southern region open in Portsmouth unless they raise the necessary funds before a May 15 deadline.

The money will pay for transport to get both the students and the set to the south coast for the competition on June 19, as well as production fees and accommodation due to an early start and late night on the day for rehearsals and the show itself.

Year 13 sixth former Grace Lim said: “We’ve been involved for the past three years but this is the first time we’ve won. It shows all the great work we’re doing at Marriotts and we would love to be able to continue that.”

Student Rochelle Staddon, who is in Year 12, added: “It’s been an amazing experience and a real team effort – from building the set to performing, everyone has played their part.”

So far more than £600 has been donated – visit www.gofundme.com/pobkh4 to support the cause.