Pupils at a Stockton primary school have donated to a local cancer care unit after being inspired by the experiences of a classmate whose mum is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Year 6 children at St. Gregory’s Catholic Academy in Roseworth organised fundraising activities as part of the school’s annual ‘enterprise day’. Their efforts raised £717, with £150 donated directly to the chemotherapy unit at the University Hospital of North Tees – where 46-year-old Lisa Dixon from Ragworth has recently received care.
Lisa’s son, 11-year-old Jude, and his class led the fundraising activities. After using some of their earnings to fund end-of-year activities, including a cinema trip to see Toy Story 5, the class decided that they also wanted to support one of the teams who had helped Jude’s family.
When asked why he and the class wanted to support the chemotherapy unit, Jude said: “I don’t want anyone to end up in the situation that my mam was and I don’t want it to be stressful for anyone.”
Lisa’s story
Lisa first discovered something was wrong in October last year.
She explains: “I found a lump in October. The only reason I found it was because it was itchy. It was actually my 15-year-old daughter who told me to go and get checked. I did and was referred straight away to North Tees where I was seen within two weeks.
“I had a mammogram and biopsy on the same day and they told me I had breast cancer.”
Following surgery in early 2026, Lisa began chemotherapy in March. Jude watched his mam ring the bell to mark the end of her chemotherapy treatment just a few weeks ago. She is now preparing to start radiotherapy at The James Cook University Hospital.
Meeting the team
Jude, classmate Luca and teaching assistants Alyson Mash and Joanne Brennan recently visited the North Tees chemotherapy unit to hand over the donation and meet the team who supported Lisa during her treatment.
Lisa said: “The team has been brilliant. I really couldn’t thank them enough.
“And it’s lovely what the school has done. They’re a great class – gorgeous kids, really canny. People have been really kind.”
Jennie Gibbs, chemotherapy unit manager, added: “It has been a privilege to support Lisa throughout her treatment. It was wonderful to hear how inspired Jude and his classmates were to help others.
“We’re so grateful to the pupils and staff at St Gregory’s for their generosity and we wish Jude’s class all the best as they move on to secondary school.”
As Lisa prepares to start radiotherapy, she hopes her experience will encourage others to get checked if something doesn’t feel right: “Check your boobs. It’s so important, especially if you’ve got children. I’m so glad I went when I did.”
