15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Western Telegraph
Cosheston VC School pupils raise hundreds for Belle's Story
Pupils at Cosheston VC School were inspired to raise funds after a visit from the charity Belle's Story earlier this year.
Belle's Story was set up in memory of Wolfscastle's Belle Curran, who lost her battle with interstitial lung disease at only ten years old.
During her lifetime Belle, along with her family friends and supporters, raised tens of thousands of pounds for the charities that helped her, as well as increasing awareness of organ donation.
Belle's Story has continued that work and also helps make a difference to young people touched by life-changing illness and disabilities, by providing direct support to them and their families.
In 2022 the charity produced a book, Belle's Engine Parts, which helps approach what can be the sensitive subject of organ donation with young children.
The book is inspired by Belle's own life and her great love of cars, she would spend many of her evenings cuddled up with her mechanic dad, John, as he bid on broken cars and car parts online.
When she was waiting for her transplant, Belle would explain that what would happen to her would be like what happened to the cars in her dad's garage; that she was waiting for a part which would help fix her and make her as good as new, just like the cars her dad bought spare parts for.
The story has been made into a book with pictures of Belle, her family and beloved teddy, by Anthony Rule.
Every school in Pembrokeshire has received an English and Welsh version of My Engine Parts.
When the pupils in Cosheston received theirs from Belle's Story volunteer Sarah, they were so inspired by both the book and hearing about the dreams that the charity has granted for poorly children that they decided they wanted to help.
The children organised a four event pancakeathon, inviting Sarah, Belle's mum Stella and Skylar the unicorn to watch.
The pupils raised £530 which they presented to Stella and Sarah.
'We were absolutely blown away by the amount raised,' said Stella. 'when I told the pupils that the money they had raised was going towards sending a poorly little girl and her family to Disneyland Paris they were so delighted .
'I'm thrilled how much the children took on board Belle's book and organ donation and how inspired they were to raise money for us.'
Belle's Story is in the process of creating an educational package to compliment Belle's Engine Parts book with fun activities for all age groups.
if any other schools would like a visit from Belle's Story, get in touch via the website or the Belle's Story Charity Facebook page.
