Onesies for Diabetes

Published on isbi School News dated Monday 1st of December 2014

Friday, 14th November was one of those days when it is best to stay in bed. It was dark. The wind was lashing and the rain was torrential. If you can't stay in bed on a day like that, then the next best thing is to get up and put on a 'onesie' for the day. And that is exactly what children and staff at St Benedict's Junior School did.

They wore their onesies to both raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Pupils and staff all joined in the fun. There were silly onesies, serious onesies, animal onesies and Christmas onesies.

The highlight of the day was the Onesie Assembly at which the school welcomed Dean Horridge, a member of the regional board of JDRF, and the JDRF mascot, Rufus. Mr Horridge gave a tremendous presentation on what it means to have Type 1 Diabetes. He explained what it is and what a diabetic person needs to do on a daily basis to manage this condition. Rufus appeared at the end and got everyone running on the spot and doing exercises to keep fit. The children filed out of the Junior School, each one giving Rufus a high five as they left.

Mrs Stimpfig, who organised the event, was delighted by the response. 'We raised a staggering £800. I thank you all, parents, children and colleagues alike, for your generosity, spirit of compassion and sense of community in supporting us at St Benedict's Junior School, in our attempt to heighten awareness of and raise funds for a truly wonderful cause.'