Staff, governors and parents from a primary school in County Durham have raised over £1,000 for LMRUK with a 13-mile sponsored walk.
They were inspired to support our charity after sisters Becca Knox and Lauren Gilbert, who both work at Chester-le-Street CofE Primary School, lost their father to Myeloma and the school’s Deputy Head, Jill McKay was diagnosed with Leukaemia.
PE teacher Caitlin Kemp, who organised the event, said 32 people took part in the walk from Chester-le-Street, via Beamish, to the village of Stanley and back. She said the majority completed the full 13 miles, including the school’s wellbeing dog, Henry.
The death of Becca and Lauren’s father and the diagnosis for Jill has highlighted the importance of supporting LMRUK and our work, Caitlin said. “As well as the fundraising, it is so important to raise awareness of these diseases,” she added.
“Jill McKay has asked us to stress the importance of donating blood to help patients who are diagnosed with Leukaemia. She is undergoing treatment and is in isolation at the moment to avoid infection, but she has needed several blood transfusions.”
The whole school has supported the fundraising, with the full backing of Head Teacher Rachel Butler. The school has also held collective worship to reflect on the impact of cancer on those affected.
Many of those who didn’t join in the walk turned out to cheer on the participants along the route and money is continuing to be collected from sponsors with the total expected to exceed £1,040.
We actively invest in new research to advance the understanding of what causes blood cancer and exploring more effective treatments, such as stem cell transplants.
A BIG thank you to everyone from Chester-le-Street CofE Primary School for your fantastic fundraising and awareness raising. We wish all the very best to Jill McKay and all those affected by blood cancer.
