The sophomore class of Fort Scott Christian Heights had their second annual work-a-thon fundraiser at the Gunn Park bike trails Friday, with local businesses and individuals sponsoring them as they raise money for their senior year.

“We are raising money for our senior trip,” student Christin Guilfoyle said, saying the students hope to travel to the Redwood Forest in California.

The seven students said they started raising money with a similar work day their freshman year, and have set the goal of raising $1,000 each year. Area business such as Country Cupboard, Cheney Witt, Sleep Inn and city hall sponsored them with either flat donations or a rate for each hour they worked.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the students worked to clear leaves from the trails, remove fallen limbs, repair bridges and move dirt to improve the bike trails. Frank Halsey, who started the work on the trails at Gunn Park and directed the work day, said the students cleared leaves from about five miles of trail just in the morning hours.

“It’s great to have this type of a group,” Halsey said, saying the students worked really hard, though they admitted it was tiring. “It’s for a good cause for them.”

Halsey said he was also pleased that the students considered the bike trails a good way to help the community as well as raise money.

The students said they hope to have raised $1,000 by the end of next week. Those interested in supporting the students can contact their school.