Students at a Stevenage school have rallied together to raise more than £1,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support – after finding out their teacher is battling the disease.

Nobel School teacher Rebecca Larter was diagnosed with breast cancer in June and featured in the Comet two months ago after completing a 10k run in London for the charity.

Spurred on by Rebecca’s efforts, pupils from each year group organised a gala evening with music, dancing and drama performances which, together with a staff bake sale, raised £1,564.

The money will be used by the Lister Macmillan Cancer Centre in Stevenage, where dance teacher Rebecca is currently receiving chemotherapy.

The 32-year-old, who lives in Stotfold, said: “The new centre is fantastic and, after seeing it, I wanted to do something to raise money for Macmillan so the charity can continue its good work.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the support of my family and friends with my fundraising and it’s fantastic to now have the support of the whole school. I’m so proud of the pupils who prepared the show and raised such a fantastic amount for Macmillan.”

Frances Ward-Powell, the Hertfordshire fundraising manager for the charity, said: “Macmillan’s aim is to ensure that nobody faces cancer alone.

“We couldn’t do this without the fantastic people who fundraise for us so I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the gala. It was a great team effort and just goes to show what can be achieved when everybody works together.”

Macmillan is closing in on reaching its £1.5m fundraising target for the centre, which opened in June at Lister Hospital.

To find out how you can back the cause call 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk.