An amazingly generous response by Barnwell School students and families meant that after an appeal lasting just three weeks, the Garden House Hospice had to send a van to collect all the donations of clothes, books, DVDs and even a dining table. The handover was celebrated with a band made up of students from the school and a visit from Stevenage MP, Stephen McPartland who not only enjoyed the music but got stuck in and shifted some of the donations into the van.

Stephen McPartland MP said, “The students, staff and parents at Barnwell have done an amazing job and it clearly shows what a great community spirit we have here in Stevenage. The amount of donations was very impressive and I was really proud of how generous and supportive everyone was. The Garden House Hospice does a lot for local people at the end of their lives and this support will allow them to help even more families.”

Sally Alford, Matron of the Garden House Hospice, which cares for those with terminal illnesses from Royston to Stevenage sent an email to the school describing the students efforts as ‘truly wonderful’.

Barnwell head, Tony Fitzpatrick, said how proud he was of the students and parents who had not only given generously, but suggested other ways in which they could be involved to raise money for charity, making the point that families being involved with and feeling a sense of ownership of the school was a vital part of school life.

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