Rain shower doesn’t deter Haddon Primary & Nursery School from honouring the memory of beloved T.A in fundraiser

Staff and children at Haddon Primary & Nursery School have been raising money throughout March for Cancer Research UK, with staff completing 10,000 steps each day for the whole month.

Nina Capek is Head Teacher at the school in Carlton and she said, “We were motivated to raise the money for Cancer Research UK in memory of our beloved Teaching Assistant, Mrs Annette Sheldon, who tragically passed away earlier this year. Mrs Sheldon is missed daily,

and her memory lives strong with both staff and children, -so we decided to tackle the 10,000 steps a day challenge in her memory.

“The Haddon school community, as is always the case when we need support, has thrown themselves behind the fundraising effort. Our total raised so far, is an astonishing £1139 plus gift aid! I’d like to thank everyone that has shown their support and donated via our fundraising link.”

During the month, children have voluntarily joined staff during break and lunchtimes to support their teachers to complete their daily steps, culminating in 200 children joining the walk on Friday 24th March- albeit during a rain shower.

Pupil Holly age 8 said, “One of our teachers passed away and so we wanted to do this for her. She was a very nice lady and she taught me about using a colour wheel once. She was a brilliant artist too.” Fellow pupil Megan, age 8 years, said the rain wasn’t going to stop children joining the final walk, “We wanted to help to raise money for Cancer Research for Mrs Sheldon. It was amazing how she taught all of the children at Haddon, and she taught me all about primary colours. She painted an amazing mural in school, and she loved art. The lovely Mrs Sheldon was always there for all of us, and so even though we didn’t have to go in the rain, -none of the children minded because we loved Mrs Sheldon so much.”

Lucy Bloor is a Foundation Stage 2 Teacher and she said “We talk about Mrs Sheldon all of the time and we have her amazing mural in our foundation stage classroom. I do honestly think that Mrs Sheldon would have giggled at us all being in the rain, -and sending us a rainbow too!”

At the end of school walk, the rain did stop, and a rainbow appeared, pleasing the school children.

Mrs Sandy Wilson is a Teaching Assistant at the school, and she said, “All of the staff and children alike wanted to do this for Mrs Sheldon. Since the 1st March, all staff have been doing 10,000 steps a day, and we have done it despite the weather, happily trudging through the snow we had earlier this month. Everyone wanted to support this effort, because Mrs Sheldon meant so much to the school, and to generations of Haddon children.”

The link to the school’s fundraising page for those wishing to donate is: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/haddoners