The party goes ahead at Fleet Primary School

HEARTLESS thieves almost wrecked a school’s summer fair when they cleaned out thousands of pounds of prizes, games and refreshments from a storage shed.

But the teachers, parents and children at Fleet Primary School in Hampstead refused to let the cruel burglary last week ruin one of their favourite annual events.

Parents association member Abbie May told the New Journal: “We felt so deflated, as we had put so much work in.

But by Wednesday, donations began to roll in.

Businesses, neighbours, former parents all stepped up. Word spread quickly and we had so, so many heart-warming offers of support. It was such a terrible feeling and that was shared across the school. People were really upset but out of a bad situation, we saw the very best of our community.”

Last Monday morning, the school caretaker noticed the lock to the shed used by the association had been destroyed and the shed ransacked.

Ms May was shocked by the idea a thief would target a school.

She said: “When I came in and saw the padlock was broken, I couldn’t believe it. When I went inside, it really took me a minute to fully process it. Everything of value had been organised and put in boxes – and they were all gone. It couldn’t have been someone on their own. There was a lot to carry, and fences to climb.”

Among items missing included bottles of champagne and prosecco, and other alcohol for the school’s bar.

Luxury chocolates and biscuits from Waitrose and Marks & Spencer were stolen, as were perfumes, toys and prizes.

Ms May said: “We put a message out across the school and within 48 hours people were stepping forward to help. It was a great turnaround. Though the small parents association were stunned by this, in particular as a tiny number of people had worked so hard in getting these donations together to make a fun event for the whole school community, it was quickly decided that rather than cancel and disappoint the children when the event is so near, we would do our best to pull together as a community and try to give the children and families a great fair on Friday nonetheless.”

The school in Fleet Road near South End Green has a roll call of children who have higher than national and local average rates of financial deprivation and special educational needs – and the fair provides a much-needed boost to school coffers.

Ms May said: “The annual summer fair is an event which raises thousands of pounds. It can raise enough to fund our whole curriculum contribution – it helps fund wonderful school trips several times a term, special visitors too and experiences at the school as well as underfunded school resources.”

Police confirmed that they are investigating the matter but were unable to give further details of their inquiries.