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St Albans pupils' fundraising efforts for friend who died of meningitis

15.04.10

FRIENDS of a St Albans teenager who suddenly died of meningitis have been nominated for an award for their determination in raising money in his memory.

In November last year Liam Woods died just days after contracting the disease leaving a massive hole in the hearts of family and friends.

Classmates at Beaumont School took to the streets during the Christmas period singing carols in a bid to raise cash for Meningitis UK.

The night after the 14-year-old's death Emma Doherty, Katie Knafler, Rebecca Tough, Stephanie Wallis, Chloe Haynes, Hannah Perryman and boys Alex Wells and Yannick Mayaud, who are all talented musicians, got together to think of a positive way everyone could deal with their grief.

Emma, 15, of Lemsford Road, St Albans, put the music together and at lunchtimes for four weeks they all rehearsed.

"We all wanted to do something for Liam. It was such a shock. I had seen him only the day before he fell ill," said Emma.

"The weather when we went door to door was horrible. But our singing kept our spirits up."

Yannick, of Beechwood Avenue, St Albans, said he would do it all over again.

"I think what happened after Liam's death brought the school together and it now feels more of a community," said the 15-year-old.

The determined group, who braved the snow and ice to gather more than £800, have been named as finalists in the Young Person of the Year (YOPEY) awards.

The scheme was set up by Hertfordshire man Tony Gearing in a bid to highlight the positive side of youths.

Charles Cross, pastoral head at the Oakwood Road school, praised the Year 10 pupils for their efforts.

He said: "We are immensely proud of them. It was on Facebook before the whole school knew but through it they immediately began to organise how best to honour Liam.

"This was without any prompting or intervention by the school or any adults.

"They arranged their own music and went out for four nights on the trot for up to three hours each night in the freezing cold,"

The team of pupils also rehearsed a tribute with music and readings to him and they performed it at a moving school assembly.

Head of Year 10 Danny Sievewright said: "It was very emotional for us all, including the staff, but they stood up in front of 180 fellow students and did remarkably well."

Their efforts raised around £800 for research into meningitis and generated a host of calls to the school from householders impressed by their initiative and commitment.

Mr Gearing commented: "The death of a student is a major blow to any school but Beaumont pulled together and the actions of Liam's friends, and especially this group of Year 10s, has been truly inspiring."

As finalists for YOPEY the teenagers are in with a chance of winning the top prize of £1,000 from a prize pot of £2,600.

They said if they win £500 will be donated to Meningitis UK.