Couple pay tribute to 'wonderful' residents (From Warrington Guardian)

Couple pay tribute to 'wonderful' residents

GENEROUS Winsford residents have helped to fund some much-needed educational facilities in the Far East.

Verdin High School pupils undertook a sponsored bag packing session at Morrisons supermarket in Nat Lane late last year and now the money raised is set to help fund three new science laboratories at Shree Juddha High School in Nepal.

Colin and Sandra Upham, former Winsford teachers now working with Voluntary Service Overseas in the town of Gaut, Nepal, wrote to the Guardian to pay tribute to the 'wonderful people of Winsford'.

Sandra said: "The money raised means that the school will achieve the equivalent of sixth form status, and so students who cannot afford the fees and transport costs to go to college outside the town will have the opportunity to continue their education in Gaut.

"This will be a massive boost for both the school and the town."

Verdin's headteacher Neil Dyment added: "Jackie Hammond, one of our teachers, went out to Nepal over Christmas to visit - Colin used to be head of the sixth form here at Verdin and Sandra was a teacher at Willow Wood Primary School.

"They are doing an absolutely wonderful job out there. Jackie rallied to the cause and the children managed to raise well over £1,000 packing bags.

"Their facilities there are very poor but the staff do an excellent job and the children have a high esteem for education. They do the best with what they have got.

"I think the children here need to be very proud of what they have done. And it was the generosity of Winsford people that made it happen.

"Thanks also go to Morrisons for giving us the packing slot."

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk