A CHARITY event in memory of a teacher who took her own life raised almost three times its target.
Returning for it’s sixth year, the “‘Run for Cass’ invited Islanders to take part in a yellow fundraising run in memory of primary school teacher Cassie Porter, who died aged 29 after struggling with her mental health.
Tom Stead, who was a close friend of Cassie’s, helps to organise it each year alongside her mother, Carol Porter.
Mr Stead said that this year’s event raised £2,795 so far –and the fundraiser will be kept online for around one more week.
The money will be distributed between Caring Cooks, who work to fight against child hunger and poverty, and Rouge Boullion school, where Cassie worked as a Year 1 teacher.
The event saw participants either walk or run from La Frégate to St Aubin and back, dressed in yellow for suicide prevention awareness, and because yellow was Cassie’s favourite colour.
Mr Stead said: “She was only 29 at the time, so she would have celebrated her 35th birthday last week. We’ll continue to do it for her every year – we’ve had awful weather recently but the sun did come out. It’s nice because the sun nearly always comes out for this event.
“It was nice seeing the whole of the avenue in yellow as you look up and down the area. We had balloons, sunflowers and daffodils up and down as well.”
Over the years, the event has raised more than £40,000 for local charities and organisations – including Brighter Futures, Jersey Child Care Trust and Thrive Jersey.
Funds previously raised in her memory have also contributed to initiatives at Rouge Boullion school, including a ‘friendship bench’ and an eco-mural outside the school, which is a project she supported during her time working as the school’s eco teacher.
Mr Stead added: “This year was the sixth year that we’ve come together in memory of Cassie and to raise money for them. We have chosen Caring Cooks this year as they do amazing work in the community.”
