The Ukrainian national team struggled in their Euro 2024 opener on Monday, going down 3-0 to Romania after a belting rendition of their national anthem.

But their younger supporters in East Hampshire had no problem reaching their goal, having raised nearly £2,000 for a charity that supports Ukrainian schoolchildren.

Binsted Primary School pupils have gone the extra mile over the last month as they’ve covered the distance between their village and the Ukrainian border twice over.

Pupil were initially challenged to collectively walk, cycle, run or scoot the 1,161 miles in aid of CCLL: The Helping Hand for Ukraine and its bid to provide essential school supplies for pupils in the stricken country.

The young fundraisers surpassed themselves and that total – eventually covering 2,322 miles and raising £1,942 once gift aid is applied.

The challenged finished – naturally – with a walk to the village recreation ground for a picnic and cheque presentation to the Selborne-based charity.

Pupils were encouraged to wear the national colours of yellow and blue with Ukrainian refugee pupil Dasha, who joined Binsted Primary School since fleeing the country with her parents, wearing her country’s traditional clothing for the final trek.

The school is “dead chuffed” of the achievement while headteacher Sharron Morton spoke of her pride for Binsted Primary and her young fundraisers.

She said: “The Binsted family have done us proud – and the children and their families have pulled together along with staff to get those miles in and absolutely smash our fundraising targets.

“We have covered over 2,322 miles since our challenge started, and we have raised £1585.00, plus £339 in gift aid.

“I am so, so proud of our little community at Binsted Primary School: we may be small, but we can do big things when we work together. Well done, everyone!”