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Stevenage's Peartree Springs complete sponsored walk in honour of classmate who relapsed dealt with cancer while taking SATs
Local Peartree Springs Primary students turned miles into smiles during their final week of school, with a mammoth 800-mile sponsored walk to support a charity that granted their classmate a magical wish after being diagnosed with cancers
The fundraiser, which was led by the outgoing Year 6 class and supported by students from all years, was inspired by their classmate, 11-year-old Peartree Spring student Zaydan. The money raised will be donated to Rays of Sunshine, a children’s charity that grants magical wishes for seriously and terminally ill children.
Zaydan was first introduced to Rays of Sunshine after he was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in 2022. The charity granted his wish to have a new Nintendo Switch, a new television and games to play – something that has given him plenty of fun and distraction, especially while in hospital for treatment.
Unfortunately, Zaydan relapsed earlier this year, which took him out of school for a lot of his final year. But determined to still mark his final year at primary school, Zaydan was inspired to do a fundraiser.
“He was eager to do something for a charity and spoke to his school headteacher,” explained Zaydan’s dad Abdul Sharbudeen. “Having previously benefitted through Rays of Sunshine there was no hesitation on naming his charity of choice.”
Dan Cawley, Peartree Spring’s Year 6 Leader and Assistant Head, said: “Zaydan is very special to us and is an inspiration to us all.
“We are so proud of Zaydan and the young man he is, he even recently scored 96% on his SATs which he completed whilst undergoing treatment.”
The class first set out to walk 500 miles total around their school field – and went above and beyond by actually completing 813 on the day! On top of this, the group smashed their fundraising target of £100 - instead raising £1,760!
Zaydan’s dad added: “We were all truly surprised by just how much they were able to raise, showing the love they have for Zaydan.”
Amy Chambers, CEO of Rays of Sunshine, said: “It’s so heartwarming to know that Zaydan’s lovely memories of his Rays of Sunshine wish have inspired him and his friends to fundraise for us.
“We’re so proud of Peartree Spring’s outgoing Year 6 class for their fundraising efforts, which will help us grant even more magical wishes for children like Zaydan.”
To support the students’ fundraiser, please head to: www.justgiving.com/page/pts2025ros
To learn more about Rays of Sunshine, please head to our website: raysofsunshine.org.uk/
Photography © Dan Cawley