The amount is the biggest-ever donation in the history of the "readathon'', an international campaign to raise money for child cancer victims.

In the month-long readathon at BHS, the first held in Bermuda, more than 400 students read a total of about 2,500 books.

Top readers were year seven student Melissa Harvey, who raised $769; year four student Danielle Cross, who raised $500; and year five student Sabrina DiMeglio, who raised $338.

The cash goes to the Malcolm Sargent fund for treatment for child cancer victims, which is open to applications from Bermudian families.

CHAMPION BOOKWORMS -- Pictured receiving a record donation on behalf of the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children is Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association secretary Mr. Gordon Ashford, with read-a-thon stars Melissa Harvey, left, Sabrina DiMeglio, second left, and Danielle Cross.