Stanton osteopath Billi Bliss launches GoFundMe page in reponse to Stanton Community Primary School’s swimming transport plight

A villager and former competitive swimmer has launched a fund-raising page to help a primary school afford transport to swimming lessons.

Stanton Community Primary School, in Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, is facing an unexpected shortfall in its budget due to coach hire to take students to and from swimming at Bury Leisure Centre from September.

After learning of the school’s plight, Stanton resident and local osteopath Billi Bliss, of Human and Hound Osteopathy, set up a GoFundMe page to bring in donations, which is already at more than £400.

Billi, 30, said: “I know the headteacher Liz and I live in the village and I just thought it would be really nice to help out. If everyone contributes a small amount it adds up to a big amount. I used to competitively swim so I find it quite important.”

Billi, who is originally from London and moved to Stanton three years ago, said she used to competitively swim at county level and was at national level for synchronised swimming.

She added: “I know everyone is struggling a bit at the moment, but I think if everyone puts a couple of pounds in, that’s like a couple of £1000. Anything is better than nothing.”

Headteacher Liz Bonnelykke said: “I am so grateful to the community for rallying together to support the school.

“The fact that Billi, who does not even have a child at our school, started the GoFundMe page is a real testament to our village.”

Swimming is part of the National Curriculum and must be provided in either Key Stage 1 or 2.

With the cost of the coach hire over two terms coming in at nearly £5000, Mrs Bonnelykke said it would take them into a deficit budget for the forthcoming year.

The school has been reaching out to see if anyone can help with providing coaches, grants or funding including swimming organisations and local councillors.