Staff and students at Harper Adams raise £1,000 for charity

Posted 7 February 2013

Staff and students at Harper Adams University have raised £1,000 for a charity supported by a former employee who tragically lost her daughter a year ago.

Shine, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus, was chosen by staff at the university following the death of 11-year-old Annie-May Johnson.

Annie-May, who suffered from Hydrocephalus, was in Year 7 at The Charlton School in Wellington when she died after suffering a brain haemorrhage in February last year.

Her mum, Celia Johnson, from Longden-upon-Tern, near Telford, previously worked in the catering department and domestic services at the university.

The money was raised in memory of Annie-May through the Annual Domestic Services Christmas Charity Raffle, a Christmas card poster campaign, and a Christmas Labora-tree decorated with glittery pipettes, syringes and tubes.

Michelle Pryce, Domestic Services Manager, said: “We raise money for charity every year but this year it was particularly important to donate to Shine, which is close to our hearts because of what happened to Annie-May.

“It’s just such a sad thing to happen to somebody so young and as Celia used to work in our department we thought we would raise money for the charity.

“We are delighted with how well everybody responded – everybody really pulled together.”

Mrs Johnson, who accepted a cheque for £1,000 on behalf of Shine today, said: “It is with great thanks that I am able to receive this money for Shine from my former department here.

“Through their kindness they have given such a large quantity of money to send to a small, unknown charity.

“When you really get to know the charity you realise there are so many sufferers of Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus. It is still a condition that is being greatly researched so this money is going to help no end.

“From the loss of my 11-year-old daughter, I hope that they can advance their research and knowledge of the condition.”

Shine is Europe’s largest organisation dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they face the challenges from Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus.

The charity is a community of 75,000 individuals, families, friends and professionals sharing achievements, challenges and information on living with the conditions.