Heartfelt thanks for Mary Hare School’s support after Storm Eunice

The strength of community between two specialist schools shone through on Friday after damage caused by Storm Eunice.

Priors Court is a neighbour to Mary Hare School.

After the heavy winds took out the main power connection and the back-up generator, Prior’s Court staff had no power, heat or light to be able to support the school’s young people, all of whom have complex autism and other associated needs.

We were delighted to answer the call for help, opening up one of our residential houses for Prior’s Court’s use, with 13 Prior’s Court young people and staff members spending the night at what one young person dubbed “Mary Hare Hotel”.Staff at Mary Hare even went so far as to put a “Welcome to Prior’s Court” sign up outside the residential home, to welcome Prior’s Court young people and their dedicated staff members.

The efforts were all the more remarkable as Mary Hare had closed earlier on Friday afternoon for half term, meaning its staff who helped were actually on holiday.

Sarah Butcher MBE, Director of Young People’s Wellbeing at Prior’s Court, said: “Everyone at Prior’s Court is enormously grateful to our friends at Mary Hare for their support given to us in our time of need. So many of Mary Hare’s staff gave up their Friday night for us and “thank you” is just not enough. Tough times bring out the best in people and this was never more in evidence than on Friday and Saturday in the face of one of the worst storms this country has seen in decades.”

Peter Gale said: "We were very pleased that we were able to offer support to Priors Court School in what what were extreme circumstances. I was proud of the way everyone stepped up to help to make our neighbours feel welcome."