Byker pupils’ brush with charity

Children at two Newcastle primary schools put their artistic talents to good use when they created designs for a community ambulance.

The pupils at St Lawrence’s and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Schools in Byker were supporting Daft as a Brush, a charity which provides free community transport for cancer patients travelling to and from hospital in the Newcastle area.

The Gosforth-based organisation’s fleet of 40-plus ambulances undertakes some 60,000 cancer patient journeys per year, supported by a team of more than 400 volunteer drivers and companions.

And one ambulance is now instantly recognisable to the young artists at St Lawrence’s and St Joseph’s, both members of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust.

Named ‘Stronger Together’ in recognition of the Trust’s ethos, the vehicle features designs produced by children across the two schools, from Nursery through to Year 6 – and the youngsters were able to see the fruits of their labour when the sponsored ambulance paid a visit.

“We were approached by one of our pupil’s grandparents, who drives an ambulance for the charity,” said Paul Brown, who is Executive Head Teacher at St Lawrence’s and St Joseph’s. 

“We were more than happy to take part as a community initiative and an opportunity for the children to have a tangible and meaningful art project. We adopted an ambulance – our job was to design the back of the ambulance in a way that represented the two schools.”

“They were extremely excited and delighted to see their contributions painted on the ambulance,” he continued.

“It is extremely important for the children to see their work in action in the community. It is important that children can see that their work can have a high profile and an impact.”