Glossopdale youngsters go hopping mad to help hospice

Primary school and nursery school children throughout Glossopdale have been hopping mad over the last few weeks - but in the nicest possible way.

Wearing rabbit style ears and big beaming smiles, they took part in Willow Wood Hospice's Bunny Hop and raised 'hutch loads' of money.

All Gamesley Primary School's 297 pupils took part, raising a fantastic £4,289 for the charity that covers Tameside and Glossopdale.

And there was an equally impressive £799 from the 191 children at St Charles Catholic Voluntary Academy, Hadfield, who hopped around for 15 minutes as part of their 'daily mile' exercise programme.

Head teacher Bernadette Quirke described the overall result as 'phenomenal' and thanked everyone who took part and sponsored the children.

She said: "The children did it right after they returned to school after lockdown. I am really proud of them, they were phenomenal." 

HAPPY HOPPERS: Willow Wood mascot Woody and St. Charles' head teacher Bernadette Quirke hold onto the fundraising cheque as pupils celebrate.

It was a similar response from head teacher Deborah Meredith's Gamesley Primary School on Grindleford Grove, where staff revealed that some of the children has raised several hundred pounds in sponsorship.

They said everyone at the school and the children's parents were always happy to support good causes.

Pupils at both schools received certificates and 'sweet treats' that included chocolate cream eggs for hopping around.

But their real treat came when Willow Wood Hospice's events and community fundraiser Laura Marinelli took the charity's mascot Woody to meet the children to thank them for their support.

She told the Chronicle: "Thank you so much for doing articles on the schools that have participated in the Bunny Hop, it is great way to spread awareness of the hospice and a lovely way to thank the children and their families."

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