During a number of events in September, the Sageston CP School community rallied together to raise the impressive amount of money for LATCH (Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity).   LATCH is a charity that has supported Henry, a pupil in the school, who has over the past four years successfully undergone treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.  Therefore, their cause is especially important to all involved with the school and Henry wanted to organise some events to help raise funds for the brilliant work they do in supporting people like him and their families during very challenging and upsetting times in their lives.

During the first day of events, the pupils raised money through a non-uniform day, bake sale and evening cinema event in the school hall.  Following this, family members supported a coffee afternoon organised by the Friends of Sageston School (FOSS) later in the month.  There were lots of teas, coffees and cakes consumed, the FOSS had organised a raffle and there was also facepainting available.

Henry, who is a Year 5 pupil at the school stated, “I’m really grateful to LATCH.  Even when I was receiving treatment and sometimes in pain and unwell, they bought me toys to cheer me up.  At Christmas last year, they even gave me a special present which was really nice.  The money we raised for them will help provide children with toys and equipment and the work they do is very important for all children who have leukaemia and cancer, like me.”

At the assembly, Henry was joined by his parents to help present Lynwen Harries, one of the exceptional team of volunteers from LATCH, with the sizeable donation.  In addressing the pupils and thanking them for their generosity, Lynwen mentioned all the ways that LATCH is able to support children like Henry and their families.  As well as providing accommodation for families to stay in whilst their children are receiving hospital care, she also mentioned the equipment and toys they need to purchase for children undergoing treatment and the additional support they provide for families, through support groups and organised days for mums and dads.

Headteacher, Adam Welch, said, “We were blown-away by the generosity of all involved.  From the staff who organised and ran events for the pupils to engage with, the team members from the FOSS who arranged the hugely successful coffee afternoon, those who kindly donated prizes for the raffle, to all members of our school community who donated so generously to such a worthy cause.  Of course, none of it would have happened without Henry’s determination to in some way support the charity that had provided him and his family such outstanding care and guidance at such a difficult time for them all."