Buckden parents and children raise £800 for local boy

 Buckden CofE Primary School and Buckden Day Nursery joined forces to host a special Purple and Blue Day in support of Dravet Syndrome UK.

Pupils, children and staff all donned their favourite purple and blue items of clothing to raise money for the Dravet Syndrome UK charity and raise awareness of this rare and severe form of epilepsy.

Albie (front and centre) and his friends and key worker from Buckden Day Nursery celebrating after raising money for Dravet Syndrome UK. (Image: Buckden Primary School.)

The fundraising initiative was spearheaded by seven-year-old Buckden-based Mia Rowlands,who has been motivated to play her part in her family’s fundraising efforts after her younger brother Albie, aged three, was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome earlier this year. 

Albie Rowlands, aged 3, was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome earlier this year. (Image: Buckden Primary School)

Albie's sister Mia said, "I wanted to do something to help my brother and other children like him. It made me so happy to see everyone at school wearing purple and blue to support Dravet Syndrome UK."

Michelle Heather, headteacher at Buckden CofE Primary School, expressed her pride in the school community's involvement.

She said: "We're thrilled to support this cause. Our students and staff have embraced the purple and blue theme with enthusiasm, showing their solidarity with Mia and Albie and all those affected by Dravet Syndrome."

Albie Rowlands (centre) celebrating with friends after raising more than £800 for Dravet Syndrome UK  (Image: Buckden Primary School.)

The children of Buckden CofE Primary School also attended a special assembly to learn all about Dravet Syndrome and what to do if they witnessed a friend or someone having a seizure. 

Buckden Day Nursery, where Albie attends the Pre-school also showed its support by wearing purple and blue as well as selling bacon sandwiches to hungry parents as they dropped the children off before heading to work and in the afternoon a fabulous cake sale. 

Hannah, from Buckden Day Nursery, who came in on her day off to support Albie’s Dravet Syndrome Purple and Blue Day. (Image: Buckden Primary School)

Keeley Lockey, manager at Buckden Day Nursery, added: "Even our youngest children are excited to be part of this important day. It's wonderful to see the entire Buckden educational community coming together for such a worthy cause. Albie attends the Pre-school here at Buckden Day Nursery and he’s a true character and much loved member of the class."

Dravet Syndrome is a rare, life-limiting neurological condition that causes severe, frequent, and prolonged seizures, often leading to developmental delays and other health issues. Galia Wilson, Trustee and chair of Dravet Syndrome UK, emphasised the importance of such initiatives:

"Events like this Purple and Blue Day are crucial for both raising funds and increasing awareness of Dravet Syndrome. The money raised will go towards the goal that the Rowlands family have set to fund vital research into this area. We're incredibly grateful to the Buckden community for their support."

All proceeds will go directly to Dravet Syndrome UK through Albie's Fund. Albie’s Superhero fund was launched earlier this year and the family have already raised more than £3,000 thanks to the generosity of friends and family and individual donations from organisations such as Buckfest. 

For more information or to make a donation, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/rebecca-douglas-1720653534221 and more information about Dravet Syndrome UK visit https://www.dravet.org.uk/