Local pupils turned concern into cash for the hospital team who treated a classmate’s mum
Year 6 pupils at St Gregory’s Catholic Academy in Roseworth have converted a childhood experience into practical support for the local NHS. During the school's annual enterprise day the class raised a total of £717, of which £150 was donated to the chemotherapy unit at the University Hospital of North Tees.
The fundraising was prompted by the experience of one pupil, Jude Dixon, whose mother, Lisa, 46, was treated for breast cancer at the North Tees unit. Following surgery earlier this year, Mrs Dixon began chemotherapy in March and has recently completed her course of treatment.
"I don’t want anyone to end up in the situation that my mam was and I don’t want it to be stressful for anyone," said Jude.
As well as the donation to the hospital, the remainder of the money supported the class’s end-of-year activities, including a cinema trip to see Toy Story 5. Jude visited the chemotherapy unit with classmate Luca and teaching assistants Alyson and Joanne to hand over the cheque and meet the nursing team.
How the hospital responded and why the donation matters
Jennie Gibbs, manager of the chemotherapy unit, said the staff had felt privileged to support Mrs Dixon and were grateful to the pupils for their generosity. The gesture highlights the close links between local schools and NHS services, and the difference modest donations can make to patient services and staff morale.
Mrs Dixon has spoken publicly about how the cancer was discovered. She said she noticed a lump in October and was urged by her 15‑year‑old daughter to seek medical advice. She was referred to North Tees and received rapid diagnostic tests, including a mammogram and biopsy on the same day. Following those assessments she was told she had breast cancer.
"The team has been brilliant. I really couldn’t thank them enough. And it’s lovely what the school has done. They’re a great class – gorgeous kids, really canny. People have been really kind," Mrs Dixon said.
What the money paid for
- £150 — donation to the chemotherapy unit at University Hospital of North Tees
- Remaining funds — used for end-of-year class activities, including a cinema trip
| Raised | Donated to unit | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| £717 | £150 | End-of-year activities (cinema trip to see Toy Story 5) |
This episode underlines several practical lessons for local families: being alert to changes in the body, the importance of timely checks and referrals, and the value of community support for NHS services. It also demonstrates how school enterprise events can combine learning with tangible community benefit.
The visit to the chemotherapy unit allowed pupils to see the people behind the care and to present their contribution in person — a learning experience for the children and a welcome boost for staff who supported a local mother through treatment.
