Teachers and pupils do Maggs proud with fundraising efforts

A SCHOOL has paid the ultimate tribute to one of its former teachers – by raising money in memory of a charity she dedicated her last days to supporting.

Maggs Roberts, from Llandaff, was head of Welsh at Stanwell School in Penarth for 23 years.

She died in 2015 after being diagnosed with incurable lung cancer.

After her diagnosis she was treated at Velindre and dedicated her time to fundraising for it.

Last year, the charity organised a Wales-wide event called Wear it Red where staff and pupils all wore red items and donated £1 to Velindre.

Of all the schools and businesses who took part, the school raised the most and last month it received a special visitor to say thank you.

Wales star Sam Warburton surprised staff and pupils with a visit.

Her colleagues said it was a bittersweet day as Maggs, who was hugely proud of being Welsh, would have been the most excited about his visit.

Friend and colleague Julie Anthony said Maggs was a mentor and friend to many at the school.

She said: “She looked after us and we, as the Welsh department, were particularly close. We were like a family.”

When she became ill she took early retirement from the school but stayed in touch with her colleagues.

Julie added: “Velindre helped Maggs have a really good quality of life.

“She had an incredible perspective and she always told us that we should live each moment and not to let the stress of being a teacher get us down.

“She had such an amazing sense of humour and sense of fun. She was still very positive through her illness.

“She had a lot of support from Velindre and they took really good care of her. She made lots of friends there. We were devastated to lose her and it was a huge blow for all of us.”

Julie said: “When we heard about the Wear it Red day, we wanted to take part and make it part of Maggs’ legacy.

“She worked so hard in this school. She was very patriotic and loved the Welsh language and everything to do with Wales.

“We thought by having this day in school, it would be a perfect way of carrying on her work for Velindre.

“She was so passionate and proud about raising funds. We thought this would be a fitting way.”

Winning the visit from Sam would have been the “icing on the cake”.

“Nobody would have been more excited or proud than Maggs. It was a lovely day for us to see the pupils all in their red jumpers.”

Next year, Wear it Red day is taking place on February 2.

Everyone in Wales, whether in schools, workplaces or offices, is being asked to wear red for Wales and Velindre and donate £1 to the charity.

Money raised from the campaign, supported by WalesOnline, will ensure the best possible support is offered to cancer patients.

Everyone in Wales, whether in schools, workplaces or offices, is being asked to wear red for Wales and Velindre and donate £1 to the charity to try to raise £100,000.

WalesOnline editor-in-chief Paul Rowland said: “At WalesOnline we’re huge admirers of the work that Velindre does, and we’re also massive supporters of Welsh rugby, so backing the campaign to get everyone in Wales to wear red on February 2 was a very easy decision to make.

“We want every school and workplace in Wales to mark the start of the Six Nations by going red for the day to help us raise £100,000 for a fantastic cause.”

Anyone wanting to take part should contact Velindre on info@velindrefundraising or call 029 2031 6211.