News

FRIENDS of an eight-year-old who's battling leukaemia have come together and raised more than £7,000 since she was diagnosed last year.

Thurgoland Primary School pupil Katerina Tawn has been treated at Sheffield Children's Hospital after discovering she had the illness in August.

Class mates decided to collect funds for the hospital and have taken part in a variety of activities, including supermarket bag packing, fancy dress days and a sponsored silence.

Headteacher Rebecca Davies said she was proud of the pupils' support for their friend.

"The children wanted to raise funds to support the children's hospital which has looked after Katerina," she said. "It really has been great."

Children initially raised money to buy an iPad for Katerina so the year four pupil could keep in touch with them via the internet. A teddy bear, with letters in its rucksack, has also been travelling between the hospital and the school, and children have knitted squares to make a blanket for Katerina.

Mrs Davies said the aim was to carry on fundraising and reach the £10,000 mark by the summer holidays.