PUPILS skipped, danced and walked thousands of steps to help raise vital funds for a children's hospice.

Participants of The Gillian Garvey School of Dance undertook an ‘Around the World’ challenge — an ambitious aim of travelling the equivalent of the length of the world.

They achieved 227,000 steps which have contributed to a wider fundraising effort for Grace's Place, in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe.

The efforts of the Tottington-based school of dance raised more than £820 for the charity — far exceeding their initial target of £250.

Susan Cheong, one of the organisers of the event on Saturday, said: "We had an adult dance class doing a musical theatre number from the show Chicago.

"It was great fun and we even had two of the dads taking part."

The children dancing used step counters for each of their workshops and when added together they had completed 227,000 steps.

The dance school also put on a showcase for their mums, dads and grandparents.

Vicky Wheeler, another organiser, said: "A huge thank you to everyone who supported us, the fundraiser was a huge success. We raised far more than we first thought we would reach."

The organisers also expressed a "huge thank you" to dance teachers Sara and Ellie as well as student Lucy.