AN AMBITIOUS bid by a Merseyside school to raise £3.75m for charity is off to a flying start.

Calday Grange Grammar School, in West Kirby, launched the massive fundraising drive for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after pupil Matthew Cullen, 14, was diagnosed with leukaemia.

His father David, a former RAF fighter pilot, is a pilot for Thomson Airways and came up with the idea of chartering a plane to fly to Germany for the day, with all proceeds going to the appeal.

On Saturday, Matthew and brother Liam, 12, were among 217 people on board a Boeing 757 for the trip to Cologne’s Christmas markets.

Landing and catering charges for the flight were waived and 10 crew members gave up their time for free to help out.

Mr Cullen’s former RAF instructor, Captain Richard Keech, gave an in-flight commentary on the first flight of the day.

Fellow Thomson pilot, Captain Buster Crabb, flew the plane to Germany and Captain Cullen took charge on the way home.

The flight and an on-board raffle with prizes donated by local businesses raised over £25,000.

Father-of-three Mr Cullen, 45, from West Kirby, said: “I feel proud, inspired and delighted. It was a great day and the crew have worked their socks off.

“I spoke to everyone who booked personally and I felt I knew everybody on board. Some people couldn’t come on the day, but they still gave donations.

“I’d like to thank Thomson, Susanne Kennedy – who volunteered to be project manager – and everyone who gave their time to make it such a success.”

The school is also planning a 1,000-mile sponsored relay run from Land’s End to John O’Groats – dubbed “LeJoG” – to raise money, with each pupil being encouraged to raise £375 each. It hopes to reach its fundraising target by 2011 – the school’s 375th anniversary.

The Imagine Appeal was chosen after Matthew was diagnosed with leukaemia during a family holiday to Florida last year and began receiving treatment at Alder Hey.