Rosebery School in Epsom, Surrey organised a fundraiser for Pancreatic Cancer UK during the months of November and December 2018. This fundraiser was in memory of our friend, colleague, teacher and loved one, Alan Celine, who passed away only two months after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer in October of that same year.

Alan was an inspirational Maths teacher and Senior Leader at Rosebery School for the last nine years and had a profound impact on the lives of so many children and colleagues during that time. He helped many students in the different schools he worked in gain confidence in, what could at times seem daunting, the subject of Mathematics and truly believed in them allowing them to pass their Maths GCSEs and A Levels. He used to give up his free time to help students on something he was so passionate about no matter how long or hard the journey was. He was kind, gentle, always smiling wherever he was in school, selfless and eager to share his love of Maths with everyone – he was a rare gem.

Ms Ros Allen, the Headteacher of Rosebery School, on learning of the passing of Mr Celine said, “as a school community we are heartbroken to lose such a gifted, kind and popular teacher who has had such a profound impact on the lives of so many children and colleagues in the various schools in which he worked over the last twenty years. Uppermost in our thoughts at the present times are Alan’s immediate and extended family and his many friends across the country. Alan will be greatly missed by us all.”

This disease is a cruel one and it had taken Alan from us far too soon. One of his greatest wishes was that we do all we can to fund Pancreatic Cancer UK which works to fund research into this particularly aggressive cancer.

Alan wanted the odds of survival from this cancer to be better for future sufferers than they were for him, through the development of ground-breaking treatments and drugs.

In order to fulfil this wish, we set up a JustGiving page called ‘Rosebery School fundraising in memory of Alan Celine’ which raised funds from selling Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, handmade blueberry muffins and hand painted Purple Ribbon Canvases. We managed to raise £962 from this alone!

Another method of fundraising included donating money on Friday 30th November which was known as Purple Friday where students and staff showed their support by wearing a purple item (shoes, top/shirt, suit, jewellery and other accessories) – purple being the colour of Pancreatic Cancer. This alone raised £1,060.08! Donations ranging from £5 and £50 from the Christmas Concert and Christmas Fair furthered the cause of raising funds for this worthwhile appeal.

In total, this fundraiser raised an outstanding £21,302 which smashed the £2,000 target out the park! None of this would have been possible, however, without the help and hard work of those students and teachers who gave up breaks and lunchtimes organising these fundraisers.

Some of the comments on the JustGiving page like “Mr Celine you are simply the best!” by the Year 9 Business Studies students made us realise exactly the depth of the loss of such a valuable teacher and colleague. Alan Celine touched the hearts of many. He was a wonderful and bright man, such a positive influence on so many people and he will forever be remembered for his great charisma and rare qualities.

Rest in peace.