Selfless gesture from pupils

The children at Houghton Primary School, their teachers and general staff showed their solidarity with all affected by cancer by wearing bandanas throughout the month of October which is also known as Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Each school day during the month was a colourful parade and all those who participated paid R2 on each day they wore a bandana. The school said it was important for the pupils to be part of the awareness since one of its staff members was a survivor.

“Alida Barnard was diagnosed with breast cancer and with her treatment lost her hair, so we wanted to make pupils aware of cancer and the treatment thereof,” said Theresa Lewarne, the admissions secretary.

The school managed to raise R1 400 and the proceeds were used to buy biscuits which were given to the Wits Donald Gordon Oncology Centre patients and staff as well as the Serenity Nursing Home frail care patients and staff.

The school’s principal, Andrew Morris said they were proud to have been part of the awareness month. “This year, the reality of breast cancer is even more relevant to us as one of our teachers was diagnosed with breast cancer,” he said.

“It was wonderful to see so many of our teachers and children wear bandanas in support of their teacher.”