BEXTON Primary School has been thanked for its ‘incredible support’ in raising an amazing £10,000 in memory of parent Mat Hodge.

The thanks have come from mother-of-two Georgina, the wife of Mat, who died suddenly last September from a cardiac arrest.

Children and parents have been taking part in a series of fundraising events to help towards the cost of a heart screening session at Knutsford Academy scheduled for April next year.

Mat was an active member of Knutsford Hockey Club, and the fundraising is taking place with the club and Knutsford Community First Responder Trust.

The school was hoping to raise a few thousand pounds, but has been overwhelmed by the response from the school community, and has raised more than £10,000, more than enough to fund the 2020 screening session.

A cheque is due to be presented to the trust next Friday at the school.

Deputy head teacher Jill Sach said: “We are delighted that our fundraising for the trust has gone extremely well. A huge thank you for all the donations for the sponsored run. Everyone has been extremely generous.”

Cake sales raised about £2,500, a dads’ curry night raised £500, the sale of decorated wooden hearts raised more than £100, the sponsored run brought in more than £5,300 and Year 6 Enterprise raised more than £2,000.

Jill added: “The cardiac screening day in memory of Mat Hodge will cost the trust more than £7,500 to run, and we are delighted to be able to fully fund this event solely from donations from the Bexton community.

Knutsford Guardian:

Pupils, parents and First Responders at a fundraising coffee morning

“Georgina Hodge has sent a message of appreciation to everyone who has supported the fundraising activities.”

Georgina said: “Thank you so much for all your incredible support in raising this phenomenal amount of money for the First Responder Trust in memory of my husband Mat, who died in September last year from a cardiac arrest.

“The strength of the Bexton community and the wonderful friendships that exist have resulted in this tremendous achievement.

“The boys [Jamon and Jonty] and I would like to genuinely thank you all from the bottom of our hearts; your kindness and generosity has touched us deeply and will always be remembered.’