St Cedd’s School’s 24 Hour Danceathon raises over £6,000 for Farleigh Hospice

On 10 February 2023, following the official opening of the School’s new Well-being Garden and 'Cosy Cottage', four members of teaching staff at St Cedd’s School embarked on a 24 Hour Danceathon in aid of Farleigh Hospice.

In memory of much-loved former teacher, Miss Susie Day, who the Well-being Garden was opened in memory of that morning, the 24 hour challenge was completed by Mrs Amecia Wilkins, Miss Emily Martin, Mr Alfie Prior and Mrs Jo Guy. Throughout the school day, all pupils participated in the challenge by joining staff for a dance session in the Dance and Drama Studio, which had been transformed into a disco complete with mirror ball courtesy of Event Sound and Light. Staff, parents and pupils, both past and present, joined them on the dancefloor throughout the evening and through to their last dance at 09:30 on Saturday 11 February.

Thanks to the School Community’s incredibly generous support of the event, over £6,000 was raised for Farleigh Hospice.

Comfortably furnished, Cosy Cottage, which was named by the pupils of St Cedd’s School and was opened during Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, is a wonderful new resource, which boasts colour-changing LED lighting and bespoke wooden furniture, and promises to be an integral part of St Cedd’s School’s well-being offering for the School community. Cosy Cottage will provide a calming space away from the classroom where children and staff can retreat for mindful moments and well-being focused sessions.

Mr Matthew Clarke, Head of St Cedd’s School on New London Road in Chelmsford, says: “I am delighted that we have once again been able to raise much-needed funds for Farleigh Hospice and that children and staff had such fun in doing so too!”

Fundraising Manager at Farleigh Hospice, Debbie de Boltz, says: “We would like to thank all the teachers and pupils that have raised this incredible amount of money for Farleigh Hospice in memory of their beloved former teacher, Susie Day. Not only have they taken on this amazing quest to dance for 24 hours; teachers Amecia and Jo are taking on the challenge of the London Marathon for Farleigh Hospice in April. We are so grateful to everyone at St Cedd’s School for their continued support which allows us to continue providing care to our local community completely free of charge.”

For more information about Farleigh Hospice, visit www.farleighhospice.org.