To sir with our love... pupils raise £19k for teacher’s cancer f ight
Caring youngsters donate cash for stricken family
IT was the worst possible news for Jamie Connelly when a routine scan showed he was suffering from a brain tumour that turned out to be incurable.
Unable to work and with a second baby on the way leaving his wife only on statutory maternity pay, a friend set up a crowdfunding site to help them through.
Incredibly, thanks to his pupils, friends and family, the move has raised more than £19,000 in only three days to support him.
Mr Connelly, of Corstorphine, Edinburgh, was admitted to hospital following a seizure in November, three days after his 36th birthday and a week before his wife, Lisa, was expecting their second child.
In a statement online, he said: ‘I met with a neurologist and was sent for a routine MRI and told to expect nothing to show up on the scan.
‘On December 28, everything changed as our whole world was turned on its head. I received the shocking news that I had a brain tumour.
‘A month after Christmas I underwent brain surgery to debulk the majority of the tumour – a part had spread into an area of my brain that the surgeon was uncomfortable trying to remove.
‘The surgery removed 50 per cent plus of the tumour. After a threeweek wait, biopsy results confirmed I have an incurable glioma tumour.’
Mr Connelly disclosed that his family were struggling to make ends meet after his salary went down to half-pay due to his time off from work.
But Bathgate Academy students rallied to raise funds after his wife’s friend set up a crowdfunding site and although it was hoped to raise around £5,000, the tally last night stood at £19,459, with around 600 people donating.
In a JustGiving post, Mr Connelly explained his desperation.
He said: ‘I’ve been unable to work since February and have been reduced to half-pay.
‘My wife Lisa is self-employed and only receives statutory maternity pay. We have a three-year-old daughter Jessica-Lily as well as our new arrival Lucy.
‘Caring for us all and with me laid low means we don’t know when Lisa will be able to return to work. These circumstances have placed an enormous emotional and financial strain upon us.
‘The money will help us greatly with alternative therapies which may be able to prolong my life and my time with my family.
‘This is an ongoing fight and at some point this tumour will regrow more aggressively.’
The PE and guidance teacher has recently started a nine-month course of chemotherapy in an attempt to prolong his life.
The JustGiving page was set up by Mrs Connelly’s best friend Susan Begley.
She said: ‘The amount of money raised is incredible. A lot of his past and present pupils have donated and it’s been amazing. It’s not an easy time.’
The couple did not wish to comment further last night, but Mrs Connelly wrote on Facebook: ‘This has been the most overwhelming experience for Jamie and I but the support and love from you all will carry us forward. Thank you truly from the bottom of my heart.’
Some parents have called for West Lothian Council to put Mr Connelly back on full pay. A spokesman said yesterday: ‘Jamie Connelly is a much-loved colleague, friend and teacher at Bathgate Academy.
‘West Lothian Council follow national guidance on sickness absence pay for local government employees.
‘Employees who have worked with the council for five years and over and are off long-term sick will receive six months’ full pay, then six months’ half pay. They may also be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay.’
Mr Connelly added on JustGiving: ‘Brain tumours are the least researched and funded cancers in the UK despite being the No1 cancer killer of under-40s.
‘In future we will organise events to help raise money for the brain tumour charity but for now it’s about supporting my family and my treatment.’
‘Emotional and financial strain’ ‘May help to prolong my life’