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Castle Hill Primary Academy in Sidney Street, Folkestone, hold Children In Need event

A primary school has finally held its Children In Need event weeks after a burglary forced it to close.

Pupils at Castle Hill Primary Academy in Sidney Street, Folkestone received a special visit from Pudsey Bear when the BBC filmed at the premises on Friday.

Pudsey Bear made a surprise visit to Castle Hill Primary
Pudsey Bear made a surprise visit to Castle Hill Primary

It comes after thieves raided the school last month, getting away with £40,000 worth of equipment.

Security alarms automatically shut down the school's heating and gas system, which meant the school had to the turn pupils away on the national fundraising day.

More than 400 disappointed pupils missed out on taking part in fundraising activities, including fancy dress and a bake sale.

But three weeks later, the school finally hosted its Children In Need event by dressing up as a character from a film in exchange for a donation.

Pudsey Bear surprised the children by making an unannounced appearance during a school assembly.

Pupils dressed up for Children In Need weeks after the event was initially planned to take place
Pupils dressed up for Children In Need weeks after the event was initially planned to take place

The event was filmed for the BBC South East Today programme, which aired last week.

Head teacher Pete Talbot said: "It went really well - the children absolutely loved it.

"We were asked to keep it a surprise that Pudsey Bear was coming, and he just appeared during the assembly.

"We raised more than £200 for Children In Need and money given to us after the break in will also be donated."

Shortly after the burglary, which happened on the night of Thursday, November 14 and Friday, November 15, Mr Talbot thanked the community for their 'amazing' support.

Head teacher Pete Talbot. Picture: Gary Browne
Head teacher Pete Talbot. Picture: Gary Browne

The theft saw an estimated 20 iPads, costing £300 each, and 25 laptops, valued at £400.

Several brand new Roger microphones which assist children with hearing impairments, valued at over £1,000 each, were also swiped.

An online fundraising campaign which was set up in the aftermath has raised £180 of its £2,500 target.

It was initially launched to raise money to reward anyone who has information on the break in which results in a prosecution, but it will now be donated to Children In Need.

Police say no arrests have been made and inquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Castle Hill Primary Academy in Sidney Street. Picture: Google
Castle Hill Primary Academy in Sidney Street. Picture: Google

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/219096/19.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555111.

To get the latest updates on ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone

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