School in Downham Market recognised for its support of last year's Poppy Appeal

Pupils at a school in Downham have been recognised for their fundraising efforts for last year’s Poppy Appeal.

In November last year, Nelson Academy held a Poppy Run on behalf of the Royal British Legion, as part of the school’s commemoration of the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Children were sponsored for the run, which saw them complete laps of the school field.

The money raised from the Poppy Run, combined with the funds gathered from the sale of poppies, gave them a total of £3,196 for the Royal British Legion.

Principal Sarah Wilson said: “That amount was way beyond what we ever could have imagined, it really blew us away.”

On Monday, representatives from the Downham Market and District branch of the Royal British Legion visited the school during an assembly to present a certificate recognising their commitment.

Mrs Wilson said: “We are extremely proud of the effort which the whole school community has put into this evening and supporting this incredible charity.”

She added: “It was wonderful to have somebody from the local branch come and present to the children.”

Along with the Poppy Run, pupils also marked the First World War’s centenary by writing poems and finding out about their relatives’ involvement in the war.

Some of the youngsters brought their great-grandparents’ photos and medals into school too.