Primary school pupils keep quiet in sponsored silence for St Catherine’s Hospice

Preston school children have raised more than £1,300 for St Catherine’s Hospice through a day of sponsored events and fundraising activities – including a sponsored silence!

The school council at St Patrick’s RC Primary School in Walton-le-Dale voted for the charity to benefit from their creative ideas, which also included a sponsored read and a Welly Walk.

They donated an impressive £1,367 to the Lostock Hall hospice, to help St Catherine’s continue to care for local people with life-shortening illnesses.

Year 5 teacher and student council leader Sue Catterall explained: “A pupil from Year 4 initially suggested that it would be lovely to do some fundraising for people locally who need our help, so we organised a school council meeting and the children decided to ask their classes which charity they would like to support and why.

“It was a unanimous decision to raise money for St Catherine’s, as some children and their families have been touched by the hospice’s help and kindness when family members have been poorly.

“Each class decided how they would like to raise money and planned their day. We carried out a variety of events including cake sales, pay £1 to wear fancy dress, tombolas and different sponsored events such as a Welly Walk, a sponsored silence and a sponsored read.

“The children had fun and raised nearly £1,400 on the day. I am so proud of the school council for thinking of others and organising such a successful day.”

She added: “It’s important for them to think about other people so we are now collecting an item of food from each child during Advent to give to the local food bank, for families who are struggling with food bills in the run up to Christmas.”

Norman Cutler, senior fundraiser at St Catherine’s Hospice, said: “It’s wonderful that the children of St Patrick’s recognise the value of hospices in the local community, and that they suggested doing a range of inventive and fun activities to raise funds for our charity.

“They’ve worked really hard and have donated an incredible amount, which will really help in our efforts to care for local people at the hospice and in their own homes. We simply wouldn’t be here without the amazing support of people like them, so we’d like to say a very special ‘thank you’ for their support.”

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