William Beach, six, says he would like money raised during Sidmouth Primary School’s toy sale to buy new teddy bears so children had ‘something to hug’ in their new beds. St John’s School pupil Oscar Ashford, five, also helps to arrange non-school uniform day.
Thoughtful pupils at Sidmouth Primary School and St Johns School have held fundraisers to help those affected by the Grenfell Tower block fire.
Tomorrow (Thursday), Sidmouth Primary School held a toy sale at its annual fair following a suggestion by six-year-old William Beach.
The year two pupil is a member of the school council and wanted to help the children who had lost all their toys in the fire.
His parents Emma and Rob said: “William saw the news and was upset and wanted to help. He wanted to send them toys but after talking to his teachers understood that raising money would be more helpful. The school have been really wonderful with all their advice and thanks to the school support he is able to make a difference and let the victims know that people all around the country are thinking of them and supporting them.
“He would really like the money to buy the children affected teddy bears so they can have something to hug in their new beds.”
Classmates donated toys they did not play with anymore with proceeds going to those that have lost their homes in the blaze.
At St John’s School five-year-old Oscar Ashford approached headteacher Mike Burgess about hosting a non-uniform day for the junior school.
The year-one pupil said he wanted to help because the people affected did not have anything.
His mum Samantha said “He saw it and asked what happens when it isn’t on the news any longer and people still need things. Who is going to provide things for them? He was quite concerned.”
Pupils donated £1 to come dressed in their own clothes to help those affected by the fire.
Mr Burgess said the hastily arranged day was the result of the year one pupil’s citizenship.
In his weekly newsletter, Mr Burgess wrote: “When I was his age, I would never have had the confidence or the awareness of events to approach my headmaster to tell him we needed to do something about the appalling fire in London this week.”
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