SCHOOLFRIENDS Amy Fisher and Ella Hamer are teaming up to raise money for charity this weekend.

The 13-year-old pupils at Parkside School, Cullingworth are taking part in the Leeds Swim Marathon to raise money for Candlelighters, the Leeds based chairty which supports children with cancer.

The girls share a tragic bond after both lost brothers to cancer.

Ella's brother Henry, 7, was a member of the Haworth Beaver Scouts and riased money for the charity shortly before he died in 1996.

Amy's brother James, 25, from Denholme, was a member of Oxenhope Football Club and has completed the Three Peaks walk only weeks before his death in August last year.

Both girls have completed the 5000 metre swim, 100 lengths of the Leeds International Pool, in previous years.

Last year Amy won her age group in a time of 1hr 20m 41secs. She swims for the City of Bradford club and has been training morning and night to prepare for Sunday's event, and hopes to complete the event even faster this year.

Candlelighters helps fund a research laboratory by paying salaries and buying equipment. It also has holiday homes for patients and their families and can also provide financial help to families.

n Amy is pictured (left) with Ella.