School’s staff climb Snowdon

TOP team. Iris Last, treasurer of Chadderton and Oldham Cancer Research UK, with (from left) deputy head teacher Jane Lomax, teaching assistant Susan Ferreira, Carl Shepherd, teacher Elaine Greenhalgh and head teacher Patricia Shepherd.

STAFF from St Matthew’s Infant School, Chadderton, battled horrendous weather to reach new heights in aid of children’s leukaemia research.

Head teacher Patricia Shepherd, deputy Jane Lomax, teacher Elaine Greenhalgh and teaching assistant Susan Ferreira faced heavy wind and rain when they climbed Snowdon.

They were joined by partners Carl Shepherd and John Woolley for the sponsored challenge which raised £700 for children’s leukaemia research.

The event was organised by Mrs Ferreira whose mother, Iris Last, is treasurer of the Oldham and Chadderton committee of Cancer Research UK.

This year the charity is sponsoring research into children’s leukaemia and Mrs Ferreira said: “We did not do as much training as we should have done and it was really hard work. Some of the group are walkers but not me.

“The day was horrendous. It rained solidly, we were wet through and it was windy. We couldn’t see anything at the top, we could have been anywhere.

“It took nearly four hours to get to the top because of the weather but we had a good time. The fact that we were raising money got us there.”

The sun came out for the descent and the team are hoping to take on another challenge with Mrs Ferreira adding: “It might be a tour of tea shops next time.”