Quiet pleas for charity

FOR a whole day, visitors to Stukeley Meadows Primary School will be able to hear a pin drop as the school undergoes a sponsored silence. The school has signed up to The Big Hush, a national sponsored silence in schools on Friday, to raise money for Macmi

FOR a whole day, visitors to Stukeley Meadows Primary School will be able to hear a pin drop as the school undergoes a sponsored silence.

The school has signed up to The Big Hush, a national sponsored silence in schools on Friday, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The youngsters at Stukeley Meadows hope to beating their total from last year, when they raised £1,082.

Every child taking part in The Big Hush will receive a free eraser and will be sponsored for every minute they stay silent.

Macmillan is also running a story writing competition for schoolchildren with the chance to win book vouchers for themselves and the school.

Huntingdon fundraising committee chair for Macmillan Cancer Relief, Diane Polley said: "We think we are asking the impossible from children to stay quiet. This is their chance to prove us wrong and help raise funds for a worthwhile cause."

Last year's event raised nearly £7,000 from schools in Cambridgeshire.

The week leading up to The Big Hush has been Cancertalk Week, giving children the chance to discuss the issues and myths surrounding cancer.

Last week also saw a Private Member's Bill to widen the age group of women screened for breast cancer put forward North West Cambridgeshire's MP, Shailesh Vara.

He said: "All of us know of someone whose life has been touched by cancer in some way, and I applaud the Macmillan people for their imaginative and excellent ways of bringing attention to the issue.

"I understand the charity is hoping to raise up to £400,000 to help people living with cancer, so keeping quiet for a few hours for such a great cause has my full backing.