Pupils in Whetstone raise money for Barnet based children's charity

Pupils at Queenswell Junior School, in Sweets Way, presented Councillor Anthony Finn with £660 in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice yesterday.

Noah’s Ark is one of the beneficiaries of the mayor’s charity appeal and provides respite care for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Year Six pupils, including Jessica Ashton and Enzo Goncalves, held a Christmas fair with cake and book stalls, a chocolate fountain and a Santa’s grotto to raise funds.

After watching a video showing families benefitting from the charity, eleven-year-old Jessica said: “It was nice to see the children having fun and not having to think about being ill all the time.

“It made me feel happy to see them smiling and to know we are helping them.”

Speaking to the schoolchildren, Cllr Finn said: “Thank you all for doing such a wonderful job raising this money – everybody has done so well.”

The school also raised over £300 in a dress-up day, which will be presented to the mayor at Hendon Town Hall next week.

Head teacher Spencer Clayton, who dressed in a suit and a velvet bow tie, said: “Everyone came to school dressed in really posh clothes.

“Some of the boys came in shirts and ties, the girls looked like princesses and one Year Six boy came dressed as a glamorous lady in a leopard skin dress.

“The children always want to get involved to support charities and children less fortunate than themselves.”