Children at a school at Sidcup in Kent have helped raise almost £11,000 for a cancer charity. Pupils at Merton Court School took part in activities including a Santa fun run and spent a day dressed as characters from the Harry Potter books to raise money for Sarcoma UK.
One of the school’s pupils, Rafferty Hams, was diagnosed with fibromyxoid sarcoma in December 2023 and needed an operation to remove a tumour. The School Council chose Sarcoma UK as one of the charities they would like to support.
Sarcoma UK’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Kerry Reeves-Kneip, visited the school to receive a cheque for £10,715.
She said: ‘It was wonderful to come to Merton Court and receive this fantastic cheque. I was truly blown away by the huge amount of money raised but also by the wonderful reception and lovely staff and incredible pupils. The children have learned about sarcoma and I am told many now want to become the scientists of the future to help beat this cruel disease! The money they have raised will help today’s scientists find ways to improve detection and develop better treatments for sarcoma.’
Merton Court Headmaster Dominic Price said: ‘A huge well done to everyone involved! At Merton Court we are well known for our fundraising, however, Sarcoma UK is a charity very close to our hearts here, through a family connection, so I think that inspired people to go the extra mile with their fundraising. We wish Sarcoma UK every success with their vitally important work.’
