Today, we would like to take the opportunity to remember the life and legacy of Stephen Sutton, a truly remarkable and inspiring young man whose legacy continues to inspire us all.

For those who may not be familiar with Stephen’s story, we would like to share some of his remarkable journey.

Stephen was a talented athlete and musician who attended our school. He excelled in sports, representing us in football, basketball, cross country, and athletics. His form (H9) still holds the record for the relay race set on Sports Day in 2009. Stephen was also a gifted drummer and an outstanding pupil, achieving high grades in both GCSEs and A-levels. He completed GCSE Maths and Music 12 months early, earning an A* and an A respectively, and also sat AS Maths a year early. His academic achievements were exceptional, with an average score of 94% in his 2013 exams.

What makes Stephen’s story truly inspiring is that he accomplished all of this while battling cancer. In November 2012, Stephen received the devastating news that his cancer was no longer curable. Despite this, he chose to focus on making a difference in the time he had left. He created a “Bucket List” of 46 items, designed to enrich his own life experiences while raising awareness and funds for cancer in teenagers and young adults.

Stephen’s “Bucket List” included a range of activities, from skydiving for charity to hosting a charity football match, from writing and releasing a charity single to hosting a “Come Dine with Ste” dinner party. His ambitious list also included a flash mob, a gigantic game of pass the parcel, and other unique challenges. Despite the odds, Stephen’s determination and spirit were unstoppable.

At the top of Stephen’s list was a goal to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. He surpassed this goal in just three weeks, and within 12 months, he had raised over half a million pounds. By the time Stephen passed away on 14th May 2014, his fundraising efforts had generated more than £3 million. Stephen’s mother, Jane, has continued his legacy, setting a new target to surpass £6 million.

As a community, we remember Stephen for his remarkable courage, infectious positivity, and enduring impact. His story is a testament to the power of resilience and the incredible things that can be achieved with the right mindset and determination.

If you would like to donate to Stephen’s cause and continue his legacy of supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust, we invite you to use the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stephen-sutton-TCT

Thank you for joining us in remembering and celebrating the life of Stephen Sutton, an extraordinary young man whose light continues to shine brightly.