St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School Raises Almost £8000 for SFH

At St Thomas of Canterbury Church of England Primary School, choosing a charity to support each year is a thoughtful and meaningful process.

Last academic year, the choice was both heartfelt and deeply personal. The school community had suffered the loss of much-loved Office Finance Manager Mrs Infanti, who had been cared for by Saint Francis Hospice. Choosing to support the hospice was a way for the children, staff and families to honour her memory and give back to the organisation that had supported her and her loved ones.

“I am exceptionally proud of our pupils and how much money they raised last academic year.” said Mrs Coughtrey, Deputy Headteacher. “I believe it was such a successful year because our whole school community has such a strong connection to the cause.”

Throughout the year, the school organised a wide variety of events to raise funds and awareness. From their Christmas and summer productions to their music concerts, collections were taken to support the hospice. These moments allowed families to contribute while celebrating the children’s talents and hard work.

In addition, the school hosted two dedicated charity days. On Valentine’s Day, children swapped their uniforms for orange and yellow clothing, colours inspired by Saint Francis Hospice and Mrs Infanti’s favourite colour and made ‘hearty’ donations. This touching tribute turned a day about love into a powerful act of remembrance and kindness.

Later in the year, pupils took part in a ‘Mind, Body and Soul’ charity day. Sponsored activities included a maths challenge, a period of silence and sporting events, including a lively penalty shootout with Frankie the Lion.

One of the standout events was the Year 6 Charity Fair, entirely planned and run by the pupils themselves. With creative stalls like welly wanging and guess the bear’s name, the fair was a fun-filled afternoon that united the whole school community in laughter and generosity.

“Saint Francis Hospice is incredibly grateful for the support of St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School.” said Georgina Brown, from the hospice’s Local Engagement Team. “Their efforts not only raised vital funds to support our work but also reminded us of the power of community, compassion and connection. We thank every pupil, staff member and family who contributed and especially remember Mrs Infanti.”