A SCHOOL community has rallied round in spectacular fashion after a pupil was diagnosed with bone cancer.
The latest fundraiser – a spectacular school charity fair – raised more than £1,500 for Year 3 pupil Craig, who is having treatment for osteosarcoma and is currently recovering from a leg amputation.
It increases the total raised so far for Craig’s Fund to over £2,000, including £480 from his classmates at Springfield Academy, which is part of the Education Village, Darlington.
The aim is to raise as much money as possible to buy specialist equipment that he may need in the future – including a prosthetic, a running blade or wheelchair – allowing Craig, seven, to be as mobile as possible.
Principal Richard Gartland said: “The whole community is rallying round and it is heart-warming to see how much everyone cares about Craig.
“We have a summer fair every year but this year the support from families, friends and the local business community has been astounding, so touched were they by Craig’s plight. Stalls were groaning under the weight of things to sell and the playground was packed with visitors.”
Charity stalls were covered in cakes, books, toys and gifts for visitors to buy. There was also a grand raffle inundated with prizes and a popular soak the teacher competition.
Donations were also made by facilities management company Mitie, developers Kajima, EE, ASDA, education support specialist AVEC, Tait Walker, Chris Cook Swimming, Mellor Catering, Bristol Street Motors Skoda, Middlesbrough Football Club and the Martin Gray Football Academy.