Orsett Church of England Primary School has been strengthening its bond with the community after recently being gifted a defibrillator by local residents. Throughout the festive period, members of the Stanford Park community worked closely with Katie’s Heart Appeal, a campaign that helps to raise money for local facilities that support children with life-threatening heart and lung conditions.
To spread Christmas cheer and raise awareness of the appeal, residents lit up their streets with some amazing light displays, which families and friends could admire together during the lead-up to Christmas. The volunteers came and spoke to the children at Orsett C of E Primary School to talk about the light displays and their significance, sharing their goal to raise £1,500 in order to buy one defibrillator. Incredibly, the community instead managed to raise over £13,000, allowing the charity to offer life-saving equipment to many local schools.
One of the school’s Year 4 children, Dylan, was keen to get involved in the project and helped the cause by shaking buckets after school. In his own words, “It’s great to know we can help someone who might need it”.
We’re so proud of both the school and its local residents, who have been an incredible example of compassion and perseverance- two of our core Christian values. It just shows what a community can do when they put their minds to it!