Northampton special school pupils get creative to raise money for young adult cancer charity

Classmates at a Northampton special school have been raising money for a charity for their Duke of Edinburgh Award with a range of activities.

Billing Brook School's Mont Blanc class have been selling their own chutney, scented bags and biscuits as well as organising a 'drum-off' and a whole school game when lockdown ends.

The efforts are all for BacZac His Legacy, a charity to help young adults with cancer after being originally set up to support Zac Foskitt from Northampton who died of the disease in 2016.

Zac's mother Helen and fellow trustee Beverley Cheyne chatted to the pupils over a video call to hear about their campaign and take questions about the charity.

Teacher Julia Ratterman said: "Some of the pupils who are learning at home also joined in with the call.

"The pupils asked them questions about the charity. It was lovely for both parties to meet, even through a screen!

"The organisers have been so moved by the pupil's efforts that they want the story to be told to help raise the profile of the charity.

"It also brings some positive news during the misery of lockdown."

The pupils have already made £20 by making tomato and onion chutney with produce they have grown at school and then cooked and sold onto members of staff.

Ms Ratterman said the chutneys were a great success and the pupils will be growing more produce this year to sell in the autumn.

The class has also been making scented bags with dried lavender and sage grown in the school garden and with bags sewn by themselves.

One pupil is going to do a drum-off with a music teacher to raise money as well as sell biscuits that he has made to his stepfather's work colleagues.

When lockdown is over, the class want to run a whole school Beetle Drive game with a raffle, which they have started to collect prizes for.

To support the students' efforts for BacZac, donate at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/donation-web/charity?charityId=1015439 and write Billing Brook School in the comments.