A school has raised hundreds of pounds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSH) in honour of a pupil who is receiving ongoing treatment for a heart complaint.
Jakk Jackson is a Year 11 pupil at Beccles Free School and has been having treatment for the last 18 months for dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition which means the heart is unable to pump blood around the body efficiently.
And on Thursday, Jakk presented a cheque for £754.80 to the local GOSH ambassador along with his family and the chairman of the Friends of Beccles Free School group Felicity McAlindon.
Jakk said: 'GOSH has really helped me to understand my heart condition – normal hospitals talk to your parents, but they talk to me as well and help me understand what's going on.
'With the donation, I feel like I'm helping GOSH for helping me. I didn't ever expect to have to go to GOSH, you see it on television but don't realise how real it is. It's nice to be able to help them.'
The money was raised through a series of fundraising activities last term, organised by the Friends group. They included a Christmas fair at the school which raised over £600, singing carols during a late-night shopping event at Evergreens Garden Centre in Beccles and a stall at the St Michael's Church Christmas fair in the town. The school also sold Christmas cards and held a school carol service.
Headteacher Nigel Youngman said: 'Jakk is an inspirational student, coping with illness whilst showing such determination and strength to continue his work at school. It is wonderful to give something back to GOSH for the incredible care and support that they provide every day for children, young people and families across the country.'
The Friends group is made up of parents and carers who organise regular social and fundraising events to support and raise money for the school, as well as chosen charities.
Accepting the cheque on behalf of GOSH, ambassador Garry Smith said: 'Donations like this mean absolutely everything to us, the money will go into every aspect of care at GOSH. We are grateful to everyone involved for raising the money and thank them all for their efforts in organising the various events. The hospital treats 260 people every day and donations like this are vital to keeping all the services running.'
For more information about joining the friends group visit www.becclesfreeschool.org.uk or call 01502 718850.
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