Boost for school

Businesses from the Hull and Humber region have secured the future of a school set up in the memory of child murder victim Victoria Climbie after donating around £40,000 to cover its running costs for four years.
The money was raised during Hull Business Week and the Yorkshire International Business Convention after Nigel Richardson, Hull City Council’s director of children and young people’s services, appealed to firms to give financial backing to the school.
The initial target was £10,000 to run the school for a year, but the generosity of local firms meant it was exceeded by four times that amount.
“I was staggered by the amount raised,” said Mr Richardson. “Local businesses have secured the school’s future and that is a remarkable achievement.
Particular thanks must go to Hull’s Chamber of Commerce for their incredible support.”
Mr Richardson took part in a Government inquiry into Victoria’s death after the eight-year-old died in London in 2000 following horrific neglect and abuse at the hands of her great aunt and her great aunt’s boyfriend.
Victoria herself had been sent by her parents to live in England for the chance of an education.
The donation will now provide much-needed school provision in her home village of Abobo in the Ivory Coast.