The family of a Bolton School pupil who died in 2021 have received a donation from the school for the charity set up in her name.
Anastasia Costello’s father, Wayne, brother, Sasha, and sister, Michelle, visited the school to accept a cheque worth more than £4,000.
Pupils in at Bolton School Girls’ Division raised the money through its annual "Christmas Post" concert, a Christmas jumper day, and their Ceremony of Carols concert.
The pupils were allowed to choose which charity would be the recipient of their efforts, with Anastasia Days being picked.
READ MORE: Bolton School girls' division remember Anastasia Costello
Anastasia died following complications after she contracted coronavirus while in Year Seven at the Girls’ Division.
In her memory, her family set up Anastasia Days, which aims to give the opportunity to children between the ages of six and 16 and their families to have a day out and make memories, particularly those who have suffered illness, abuse, bereavement, or other significant trauma.
Teachers and pupils at Bolton School Girls’ Division were delighted to welcome members of the Costello family to a whole school assembly and to present them with a cheque for £4,139.04.
READ MORE: Bolton School Girls' Division in Sunday Times top 10 in North West
Several Year 10 and Year Eight pupils addressed the assembly and told how girls had raised the impressive amount.
Wayne also took to the stage to express his and his family’s heartfelt thanks for the pupils’ generosity.
“As both a trustee of the Anastasia Days Charity and as a family member of Anastasia’s it was a real honour to be hosted by the pupils and staff at Bolton School,” Wayne said.
“As a new charity, we’re still overwhelmed and humbled to have been chosen as the Christmas Post charity by such a fantastic institution.
READ MORE: Bolton School pupils raise thousands for Anastasia Days
“The fundraising activities of the staff and students, and the generosity of everyone who donated, have resulted in a donation which I can only describe as phenomenal.
“The charity is now fully operational and we’re delivering our services to a selection of children currently in the North West of England.
“The level of support we’ve received from the school and the pupils means we can deliver bigger, better, and more regular ‘Anastasia Days’ for children who have had a very tough time.”
To find out more about Anastasia Days, visit anastasia-days.co.uk.
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.
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