PUPILS from 41 schools have united in a colourful show of support for a much-loved headteacher with motor neurone disease.
Claire Park, popular headteacher at Hartburn Primary School, near Stockton, was diagnosed with MND last June, leading to a campaign by the Prince Regent Street Trust to raise awareness of the disease.
The Friends of Hartburn Primary also launched an appeal to raise £50,000 to create a new play area at the school, which will be known as ‘Mrs Park’s Park’.
In the latest display of unity and support, 61 schools across the Stockton borough came together in a “Walking For MND” event, with pupils walking to each other’s schools.
Year 5 pupils from Hartburn Primary and Year 4 and 5 pupils from neighbouring Oxbridge Lane Primary walked to Ropner Park, carrying banners and placards, as part of the event.
Woollen hearts, made by the local Knit ‘n Natter club, were attached to fundraising QR codes and hidden by pupils in the hope that members of the community would find them and make a donation.
Lindsey Wain, Hartburn’s acting headteacher, also crocheted 75 orange and blue hearts for the pupils from the two schools to swap and keep as souvenirs.
“It’s been so lovely to see all the children come together in a show of unity,” said Mrs Wain. “When we left the school to walk to the park, we were given a guard of honour by the rest of the school, with everyone clapping and cheering. It was so moving.”
Recommended reading:
Oxbridge Lane Primary pupils had taken part in a variety of activities under the theme of “Every Movement Counts”. They also researched MND and made posters and banners.
“Raising awareness has been just as important as raising money, and to see such a special cause unite so many schools across Stockton has been gorgeous to see,” said Oxbridge Primary’s headteacher Lauren Amerigo.
“A lady whose husband had died of MND came up in the park to donate £10, and it’s nice for the children to see how much their efforts mean to people. We’re all thinking of Mrs Park.”
A charity ball, in aid of Mrs Park’s Park, is to be held at Hardwick Hall Hotel, at Sedgefield, on May 1.
