A COLCHESTER school has presented a cheque worth £775 to one of the city’s most valued charities.

Pupils at Prettygate School presented the donation to St Helena Hospice last Thursday after raising the £775 sum in the run-up to Christmas with collections during nativity performances and a Christmas jumper day.

As part of the presentation, which was attended by James Martin-Whymark – St Helena’s Hospice’s community fundraiser – youngsters got to meet the organisation’s mascot, Saunders the elephant.

Two pupils in particular, Ava and Evie, have put in efforts in recent years to raise money after their father, Antony, was looked after by St Helena Hospice in 2022.

Headteacher, Mark Millbourne, said: “We are proud to be a part of a community that comes together to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

St Helena Hospice, which is based in Myland Hall Chase, Colchester, formed in the late 1970s, welcomed its first patient in 1985.

Since then it has supported countless people by comforting them whilst a friend or family member has been looked after towards the end of their life.

Earlier this month, 80-year-old Jan Eves from Harwich raised £2,500 for St Helena Hospice by completing a 13,000ft skydive.