STUDENTS have raised almost £6,000 in memory of a much-loved teacher.
More than 700 pupils at Winsford Academy endured the rain and wind to take part in a three mile sponsored walk to celebrate the life of maths teacher Viv Howard.
Students walked along the Whitegate Way in Knights Grange on July 19 as pupils and teachers acted as marshalls.
Viv, 74, who died suddenly in June, was a volunteer at the hospice on reception and in the family support unit for 16 years.
Vice principal Richard Hicks said: “I’m incredibly proud of the students. It was a big deal for us as a school because this was the first time that we have done such a large-scale sponsored event and especially with the weather going against us.
More than 700 students at Winsford Academy endured the rain and wind to do a three-mile sponsored walk in memory of much-loved maths teacher Viv Howard
The pupils did us proud and showed enormous resilience and strength of character on the day to raise so much money for a local charity, in memory of Viv and complete the sponsored walk with huge smiles on their faces.”
The students' final total was £5,841.94.
Pupils have chosen St Luke's Hospice as their charity of the year.
Winsford Academy students raised £5,841.94 for St Luke's Hospice
Hollie, 14, who raised more than £100, said: “We couldn’t have chosen a worse day to do it but I felt good after I’d done it. It’s the most exercise I’ve done! And it was for a good cause.”
Jack, 15, who collected £109 in sponsorship, said: “I’d met Mrs Howard in the maths department and I wanted to raise money for her for a good cause. It was very wet and windy.”
St Luke's Hospice matron Wendy Wilson said: “Viv gave so much to the community, not just as a teacher but also as a valued volunteer here at the hospice for the past 16 years. She touched so many lives and is sadly missed by all those who had the privilege to know her.
Pupils at Winsford Academy have chosen St Luke's Hospice as their charity of the year
“Well done to all the students at Winsford Academy who took part in the sponsored walk in memory of Viv. What an incredible amount of money to raise for St Luke’s, a charity so close to Viv’s heart. Thank you so much.”
St Luke's has cared for adults who are suffering from cancer and other life limiting illnesses for 30 years. The hospice also supports family members and carers.
Day care includes a complementary therapies clinic, counselling and social work teams and a lymphoedema clinic.
St Luke's has to raise £8,152 a day to enable the hospice to provide free care and support to local people.
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