IT ALL went very quiet at St Andrew’s in Ramsbottom as 10-year-old Max Cross did a sponsored silence for charity.

The year five pupil had asked his mum Nicola if his Christmas present money could be given to charity.

He got the idea after finding out that his granddad Brian Cross had terminal cancer.

He was diagnosed with a brain tumour four years ago but Max was only recently made aware of his grandfather’s condition.

Miss Remic said: “He is really close to his granddad so when he found out he just wanted to do something to help.

“He came running down the stairs saying about not having any Christmas presents so that he could give money to ‘that cancer place.’

“I thought it was so sweet of him but I suggested that instead of doing that that he challenged himself to do something that would raise money.”

Max asked his school if he would be able to do it on a school day and on Friday he embarked on his 24-hour silence.

His mum added: “He is a chatterbox so we decided that being quiet for 24 hours would be a real challenge for him.

“It was the longest game of charades I have ever had to play!

“It killed him not being able to speak, we gave him a notepad and he was writing everything down on there.

“It was more of a challenge for him having to do it in school because all of his friends are there and if he had done it at home he could have just sat and watched television quietly.

“He was so pleased with himself when he managed to complete it.”

Thanks to friends, family and pupils and staff at St Andrew’s Max raised over £200 for Cancer Research.

Miss Remic said: “I am so proud of him. It was all his idea and it was such a kind thing to do.

“He is now talking about the next thing he can do to raise even more money, so I don’t think we will be stopping at this.

“Even though he asked to not have any presents he will be getting some, what he has done is great, he definitely deserves some presents this Christmas.”

Damian Marsh, headteacher at St Andrew’s said: “We were very happy to support Max in his fundraising efforts.

“As a school we encourage the children to think about others and charity fundraising is important.

“We were proud to see Max use his initiative to raise this amount for Cancer Research.”

Richard Cross, Max's father said: "I am really proud of his achievements."