Fund raising for Piam Brown
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School pupils and staff staged a tremendous show of support when they assembled together for their talented friend who is battling cancer. The children, teachers and support staff of St Michael’s CE School in Wimborne put on a mammoth dance show for Year 8 pupil and World Tap Dance gold medalist, Jude .
They gathered in their hundreds at the school for a danceathon to raise £5,000 for the Piam Brown children’s cancer unit at Southampton General Hospital. Headteacher, Ron Jenkinson, said: “We couldn’t think of a better way of showing our support for Jude than by embracing the thing he loves most and excels at – dancing. “Jude is an incredible talent and won a gold and bronze in the World Tap Dancing Championships just one month before he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. It is amazing that he achieved this level of success with the Leukaemia present his blood system. He is responding well to treatment which is, of course, challenging and painful but he has shown exceptional courage. Jude and his family are embedded into many aspects of Wimborne life and he has touched so many hearts.
” The danceathon was led by staff and sixth formers from Queen Elizabeth’s School who taught everyone a 60 second dance routine in the school hall in less than 30mins. It was then performed by all 595 students plus staff in the school playground.
Jude’s mum Boo, said: “Jude has been so encouraged by the level of support the pupils, staff and families of St Michaels have given to raise money for Piam Brown. Last year Jude was helping the school to raise money for the ward, and now he is a patient himself. We understand just how important these fundraising events are in helping Piam Brown to continue providing outstanding care to children with cancer, and their families.”
On the same day as the danceathon, and in another show of support for children who have cancer, four pupils - Chloe, Evie , Emily and Trinity - had a minimum of 21cm cut off their hair and donated to the Little Princess Trust and also raised an amazing £700. Their lopped locks will now be made into real wigs for cancer sufferers who have lost their hair in treatment.