Preston School Raise £2,900 For Local NHS With Race For Life

Brookfield Community Primary School have completed a tough running challenge to raise money for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity.

Pupils of the Ribbleton School took on the challenge to help charity’s Children’s Appeal reach its £1 million target to make the Royal Preston Hospital better for young patients.

In their class bubbles, the school’s entire register of 180 youngsters took part in their own Race for Life, running repeat laps around the school’s football pitch sized sports field for PE class.

Their collective effort raised an incredible £2,900 in sponsorship from family and friends.

Mrs Sandra Hopkins, the school’s business manager, explained how happy they were with how much was raised:

“We thought we might raise a couple of hundred pounds so to achieve a donation of this size is just fantastic and we are very grateful to everyone, who supported our children.

The school took a vote on which charity should benefit from the fundraising and Lancashire Teaching Hospital’s Charity was a clear favourite:

“It was the school council’s first fundraising event this year. We wanted to help people in the local community. The children suggested many brilliant charities so we held a vote.

“The hospital charity’s Children’ Appeal was the strong winner as many children spoke about their own experiences in the hospital and all of the children were extremely excited about the idea of raising money for their local hospital and helping children who are poorly.”

The aim of the Children’s Appeal is to make the children’s wards, outpatients and other paediatric treatment areas less scary for the 10,000 babies and young people annually who attend for check-ups and treatment.

The money will pay for a seaside themed decorative make-over, virtual sky ceiling panels, air conditioning, reclining chairs for parent sleep-overs, new lifts and hoists, a new mental health suite and play equipment to create a healing environment.

Fundraising Manager Roya Armstrong, who invited members of the school council to look at the appeal barometer outside the hospital and talk to nursing staff about the difference their donation could make, said: “Wow. What an amazing effort by everyone connected with Brookfield Community Primary. We are incredibly grateful to have been chosen as the beneficiary of the school council’s Race for Life.”