Published on Thursday 11 March 2004 10:05 "IN a dramatic last-minute gesture, all the staff at the doomed St Elphin's School are banding together to try and save it from closure. With a vigour most often seen in feel-good Hollywood movies, the school's staff are appealing to all people and businesses to help them raise the 3 million needed before the final bell tolls on a Matlock institution. And if they fail to realise that sum, every person will receive their donation back, in full. Last week planners at Derbyshire Dales District Council voted unanimously to reject a plan for residential development in the school's grounds because it contravened the local plan. This was the cash-strapped school's last chance of a rescue-package. A total of 175 students will have to relocate and 75 people will need to find new jobs if this lastest plan by staff fails. "St Elphin's staff will not go without a fight", said Wendy Kenyan, the school's lay chaplain. "Enough is enough, we will not lie down and die, we will do something." So the school has created the St Elphin's Recovery Fund, a breath-taking venture to raise 3 million by the end of this month. "The entire staff, including the headteacher and the cleaners are on board. Everyone wants the school to survive. "We are looking for donations made to the fund to secure our future. "Students, parents and staff need to put things in place if the school is going to close, so we have set the deadline as March 31," she said. Asked whether the school had any hope of actually raising such a vast sum, Mrs Kenyan, said: "We are open to that happening, that's what we are praying for and that's what we're working for. "This is a superb school and we won't go down without fighting." Mrs Kenyan said that they had waited to see if the adminstrator's plans to build on the playing fields worked before instigating this venture. The failed application plans are being reviewed to see if they would pass if amended. "If we don't reach our target every donation will be returned in full," said Mrs Kenyan. All cheques should be made payable to St Elphin's Recovery Fund, c/o Mrs W. Kenyan – Lay Chaplain, St Elphin's School, Darley Dale, Matlock, DE 2HA. Donations should include a contact name and address. If possible people are being asked to come to the school to sign a gift aid form which will allow St Elphin's to get a further 28 per cent back from the Government in tax. Telephone Mrs Kenyan on 01629 733263 for further information. By Dilpazier Aslam" Reprinted by kind permission of Matlock Mercury |
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