Ely College has moved to dispel rumours that they may stop students’ participation in the annual Dorset Walk, which has raised more than £100,000 for a children’s cancer charity.

A total of 120 Ely College students, joined by students from Prince William School, Oundle and Rushmoor School, Bedford, took part in the three day Dorset Walk earlier this summer to raise funds for the Malcolm Whales Foundation.

The walk, which has been running for seven years, is organised by Ely College deputy head Damien Whales, whose father Malcolm died of cancer aged 55. This year, it raised £20,000 for the foundation.

A post on the foundation’s Facebook page said: “The Dorset Walk is coming under pressure due to the event causing ‘lost learning time’ for the students at Ely College.”

But the school’s business and operations director Lisa Tomlinson says the school has not cancelled future trips. Instead, they are looking into the timing of the trip.

Lisa Tomlinson, Ely College’s business and operations director, said: “Staff and students that attended the walk had a very enjoyable time whilst raising funds for a local charity that the college has supported for some time.

“The college has not cancelled future trips it is considering the timing of the trip within the academic calendar.”

To make a donation to the charity, go to www.malcolmwhales.co.uk