Joshua (second right) is an ambassador for Welsh Hearts.

Students and staff painted Monmouth School for Boys red today (Friday 29th March) for two important charities.

The Wear Red Day was inspired by 16-year-old pupil, Joshua, and has raised around £1,000, mostly for Welsh Hearts with a small donation to Velindre.

Pupils donated £2 to wear their own clothes to school and had an opportunity to throw wet sponges at kind-spirited members of staff, including Headteacher, Dr Andrew Daniel, and Head of Art and Design, Mr Matt Peake.

With support from his friends, Joshua sold t-shirts, wristbands, pin badges and organised cake sales and a rugby ball-throwing game to raise funds for Welsh Hearts.

Joshua, an ambassador for Welsh Hearts, said: “I believe that we should support Welsh Hearts and raise the profile of the fantastic work which the charity does, particularly in schools. We need more defibrillators in Wales.”

Welsh Hearts is a heart charity for placing defibrillators in communities and delivering CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillator training in Wales.

Joshua thanked everyone who took part in the fund-raiser and supported the successful day in Monmouth.

Joshua added: “Too many young people die each week from an undiagnosed heart condition and these health issues can be diagnosed through the screening provided by Welsh Hearts.”

Joshua worked incredibly hard all week on the Welsh Hearts challenges and fund-raising activities.

The work of Velindre is also important and the school is proud to be making a small donation to its services.