Academy and local pub do their bit for Stella

Head of Design and Technology, Andrew Bentall, has rallied students and the local community to raise money to help a little girl with a rare form of cancer to continue to get the treatment she needs.

At 17 months old, Stella Rogers was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, which affects small children whose nerve cells do not develop properly. After fighting the disease she has just started a costly antibody treatment in the USA that will stop her from relapsing. So far family, friends and well-wishers have raised in excess of £40,000 towards the £250,000 but more is needed to keep her in the six month programme.

Students at New Line Learning Academy have been washing cars in their breaks and have raised £60 to go towards the cause so far. There are also plans for a team of students to pack shoppers' bags at supermarkets in the local area to raise more money.

After being told of Stella's story by Mr. Bentall, The Swan in Loose Road, Maidstone, held a special fundraising night with live music from Danger Klaus on Thursday 11 March. On the night, Landlady Tracy Holden, and Manager Marc Cook held a raffle and passed buckets around to encourage customers to donate. The Swan also donated half its profits from the evening to Stella's fund. In total the event raised an amazing £713.55.

* To find out about Stella, see www.forstella.org for information on how to help and fundraising events.
** Accompanying photos show NLL pupils washing cars in their break time and a photo from The Swan event, which includes Jahson Nembhard (far left), formerly from the award-winning group The Drifters.