A gem of a gift from couple

FAMILY ties . . . Ryan with grandparents Geoffrey and Janet Iles, assistant head teacher Sue Caine (left), teaching assistant Ann Holliday and pupils (from left) Lewis McGrady, Callum McKee and Shahed Salik

KIND-HEARTED Geoffrey and Janet Iles celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary by raising £800 for their grandson’s school.

They asked for donations for Kingfisher School, Chadderton, rather than presents to mark 40 years of marriage.

Eight-year-old Ryan has autism and has attended the special school for four years.

Janet (59) said: “It’s such an amazing place. They have done so much for Ryan and we felt it would be nice to do something for them.

“I thought we would get about £100 and it was £800 — we were blown away by the money we raised. I would like to say a great big thank-you to everyone who donated and how appreciative we are of our friends here.”

Janet and Geoffrey (62), of Clydesdale Road, Diggle, are originally from Croydon and moved to the area in 2001.

They have three children — Stephen, Julie and Richard — and seven grandchildren.

Mid-day supervisors at Holy Trinity Dobcross, they previously escorted pupils from Saddleworth to Kingfisher.

They are members of St Chad’s All Stars amateur dramatic group and around 100 family and friends attended their party at Diggle Band Club.

Kingfisher presented them with a bouquet as a token of thanks and Janet added: “Ryan loves the school.

“He has done very well there and we are very pleased with all their work.”