A RUDDINGTON teacher has been treated by one of her pupils this month for her international volunteering work as part of intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh’s ‘Thank You Teacher’ competition.
Sally Squires, year one teacher at James Peacock School in Ruddington, was nominated by six-year-old pupil Camilla Collison for her ongoing work and fundraising for The Mustard Seed Project, a charity established to improve access to education in Africa.
For winning the ‘Thank You Teacher’ competition – where Sally was up against over 50 nominations- she received a £100 intu gift card, which can be spent at all of intu’s UK centres across hundreds of brands and restaurants, prosecco for two at Caffe Rizzoli on arrival and an Elemis Spa Pod Power Booster facial at John Lewis.
Speaking about her win, Sally said: “We’ve been working really hard as a school to support this Ugandan community through fundraising events and sponsorship, and I can’t wait to visit again next summer to see the difference we have been able to make for myself. It’s such a special project and I am so pleased the students and school have supported it so fully.
“I had no idea that I had even been nominated for the competition, it was such an amazing surprise and it has made my entire year. I’d like to thank Camilla and her mum for thinking of me and I can’t wait to treat myself!”
After visiting Uganda last year, Sally, along with fellow teacher Jayne Henson, has been fundraising to build a school for children living and learning on a remote island in a Ugandan swamp. So far, the school has raised enough money for a water harvester to provide clean drinking water, porridge for students each morning and a bike for the teacher who travels over 20km a day to teach.
Nigel Wheatley, general manager at intu Victoria Centre, said: “When it comes to saying thank you, we think teachers deserve something extra special to recognise all of their hard work throughout the school year.
“There were so many fantastic entries for our ‘Thank You Teacher’ competition but Sally’s nomination really stood out to us, as she not only supports her own students but students in less fortunate circumstances, giving them the chance to receive a better education.
“At intu, we love to put a smile on the faces of our customers and we hope Sally enjoys her day of treats with us at intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh.”
