Chesterfield Inlet (May 04/05) - Senior high students at Victor Sammurtok school in Chesterfield Inlet went 30 hours without food to raise money for charity this past month.

Grade 9/10 home-room teacher Ana Leishman says about 22 senior high students in Grade 7 to 12 took part in the 30-hour famine to support World Vision.

The senior students were supported in spirit by the elementary students who wore yellow on the day of the famine.

Leishman says participating students were sent home for lunch around 11 a.m. on the first day of the famine, so they could begin the event at noon on a full stomach.

She says the youth put in a full day at school before coming back at 5 p.m. with all their overnight paraphernalia.

"One of the parents even brought ice so we could give the kids nice fresh water along with all the juice they could drink," says Leishman.

"We didn't allow them any pop because of the caffeine content and the fact they can get a little cranky if they drink too much of it."

Leishman says the computer lab was open for the evening and the students were also kept amused by a number of games in the gym, video games and movies.

She says the male and female students were split into two different rooms, and it took both groups awhile to wind down from their evening of activity.

"There was a lot of giggling going on into the wee hours, that's for sure.

"But they were worn out from running around the gym, so they eventually fell asleep."

The students took part in a science challenge during day two of the famine.

First they built a tower out of Popsicle sticks, then they tackled the main event -- a GPS challenge.

"The students had to use their GPS to find eight letters placed around the town.

"The letters they found spelled out starving."

At famine's end, the students raised more than $600 for World Vision.

A number of school staff members made donations and one student, Jessie Samok, raised more than $200.

"He actually donated most of his income-tax return to the famine, so I'd say that's pretty impressive.

"The kids want to hold one of these every month, but I think once a year is good for me.

"Thirty hours is a long time to go without food."