Dagenham pupils helping cancer teenager get closer to �50k target

Pupils and staff still need help to raise �50,000 for a former pupil to have life-saving cancer treatment.

Robert Clack School, Dagenham has collected �40,000 for Florio Kazazi, who suffers from an aggressive form of bone cancer.

Florio, 19, was told he had months to live in November, but has been offered pioneering treatment in Houston, Texas, USA, which has a 60 per cent success rate, but is not on the NHS.

The medication which is sent to him costs $5,000 a month and the school has pledged to raise �50,000, which will also help to cover travelling and accommodation costs in the US.

Pupils and staff have organised fundraising events, including netball, rugby and football tournaments, a talent show, bake sale and a non-uniform day.

In one netball tournament, staff, sixth-formers and Year 10 and 11 pupils played each other on April 1, with headteacher Sir Paul Grant staff goalkeeper.

The tournament raised �530, half of which goes for Florio’s treatment and the rest to the school’s overseas sports tours. Florio said: “It was brilliant, about 250 people turned up. I left the school in 2007 and the fact that all those people who don’t know me are doing this is amazing. It inspires me to try harder.”

Florio, who lives on the Gascoigne Estate, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2007, days after getting top GSCE grades at Robert Clack. He has had chemotherapy and surgery, and his left leg amputated after operations to remove the cancer left it infected.

Deputy headteacher Russell Taylor said: “He is a fighter and an inspiration. I’m proud of the school. The response has been amazing and shows the strength of community.”

To help Robert Clack, make a cheque payable to the school and send marked for the Florio Kazazi Fund.