A SCHOOL community launched a weekend of fundraising for the Children’s Cancer Fund as a way of thanking them for their incredible support of one of their pupils.

On Friday, Bedale Primary School turned Blue for Bailey in honour of his favourite football team, Chelsea, and the theme continued as the campaign to raise money carried on.

In March, as lockdown was announced for England, the family of Bailey Cuthbert received the devastating news that he had bone cancer. School staff say Bailey has endured months of gruelling treatment with a cheerful, brave determination and with huge support from the Children’s Cancer Fund, which helps to improve the quality of life for children and teenagers being treated on wards four and 14 of the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle.

After wearing blue for Bailey, there was a family sponsored walk and Chelsea Football Club donated gifts for his 11th birthday on November 22. Maddie Main, a lifelong friend of Bailey, who has been a huge support for both him and the fundraising efforts, said: “I can’t imagine how hard this has been for Bailey. What we are doing is really important, not just for our friend but for all the children in hospital.”

Elizabeth Turnbull, headteacher at Bedale Primary, said: “There was a sea of blue in school on Friday. The staff and I have been overwhelmed by the support from the whole of the Bedale community.”

The money raised from all of these events is being added to the specially set up fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jennifer-nunn4 which has already raised more than £8,000 through donations.

On the site Bailey’s parents explain what a help the fund has been for them and their son. They say: “The Children’s Cancer fund has been an incredible support for Bailey throughout his treatment. What they provide for the children is truly wonderful

“To have the privilege to spend time with some of the wonderful people they fund is medicine in itself. Bailey adores Tom the animator, and has so much fun with Chris the music man. This opportunity the children have to engage in something that for even the shortest amount of time takes their minds off everything else that is going on is invaluable.

“We would love to raise as much money as possible for the charity, who like everyone else has suffered with lack of fund raising this year. It would mean the world to Bailey to be able to say thank you in this way.”