Primary School Students Fundraise for Bereavement Charity in Tribute to Teacher’s Daughter

Young students at a primary school are undertaking a cycling challenge within their classroom to collect donations, honoring the memory of their teacher’s late daughter. Year 6 pupils at St John’s Primary School in Wellington, Somerset, are utilizing a stationary exercise bike to collectively travel 1,382 miles (2,225 km) as part of their fundraising efforts for 2Wish, a bereavement charity. This organization has been providing assistance to the students’ teacher, Harry Foster, and his partner, Rebecca, following the unexpected passing of their 15-month-old daughter, Olivia, in October 2023. Mr Foster stated: “At the time, we felt as though we were stuck in a deep, dark well, with no support until [2Wish] opened the lid, let in some light and offered us a hand.” Olivia’s death was attributed to acute myocarditis, a medical condition characterized by heart inflammation that impairs its capacity to pump blood and oxygen effectively throughout the body. Mr Foster described her abrupt passing as “unimaginable.” He recounted: “24 hours before Olivia died I was down the park with her, 24 hours later she passed away.” He added: “You don’t expect something like that to happen to you.” The organization arranged counseling services for Mr. and Mrs. Foster, prepared a commemorative memory box for them, and connected them with other families experiencing similar loss. Mr Foster further stated: “They have provided us with the professional support and the kind and caring nurture we were so desperately searching for.” The students have been cycling a distance equivalent to a journey from their school to London, then to Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff, and finally back to Wellington, accumulating £900 in donations to date. Year 6 pupil Evie commented: “We’ve been cycling around the UK, raising money for our teacher’s charity.” Oliver added: “It feels good to support such a good charity because they have supported Mr Foster a lot.” Mr. Foster expressed that the school and his fellow staff members have been “absolutely fantastic,” serving as a “supportive family” to him. He further remarked: “It’s tough for me to get up to come in to a school where there are children around when I’ve lost my child, but having these children’s passion for fundraising and passion to support me and keep going gets me through the days.” On Thursday, representatives from 2Wish arranged an unannounced visit to the school to engage with the students and Mr. Foster. Naomi, a regional fundraiser for 2Wish, commented: “From something so awful and tragic, the amount of good that they have done is just incredible.”