Wonderful accolade from St Thomas More High School, North Shields as published in Whitley Bay Guardian
Published on Monday 18 February 2013 10:27
SPRING came early for students in North Shields as they celebrated their school’s 25th anniversary by raising thousands of pounds for charity.
St Thomas More’s Spring Ball, which took place at the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle, was attended by staff, parents, supporters of the school and students past and present.
The event raised more than £4,000 for the Handicapped Pilgrimage Trust, an organisation which takes young people who are ill or have a disability to Lourdes in France, every Easter with the help and support of the school’s sixth form students.
The funds were raised through an auction and a raffle, with prizes being donated from various local businesses and celebrity Declan Donnelly.
Whitley Bay-based agency First Class Supply and Training donated £750 and a case of champagne for the raffle. Barclays matched this with another £750.
Headteacher Diane Donkin said: “The spring fundraising ball was a most enjoyable evening, bringing together representatives from all sections of our school community.
“Everyone was very generous towards this worthy cause, which our young people have found to be truly life changing whether they take part as a guest or a helper.
“I am especially grateful to teachers Mr and Mrs Merchant for their inspiration and commitment to now what is a regular feature in the school’s calendar, to Mrs Breen for her superb organisation of the event and to First Class Supply and Training for not only being a first class provider but also their amazing generosity.”