School praised for giving Mansfield family their Christmas back

Amanda-Lunness-Telford says it is thanks to her 10-year-old son James Telford’s school - the Wainwright Academy Primary in Mansfield -that her family will be able to enjoy their Christmas.

Amanda says the family, who live on Goldsmith Street, have struggled financially as well as coping with physical and mental health challenges and a family bereavement in the past year.

The school she says, has supported the whole family as well as James, who is in year six and has attention deficit disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The 38-year-old mum, who formerly worked in security, is now unemployed after hurting her back in an accident. She also has range of issues from coping with pain from fibromyalgia and old injuries from motorcycle accidents, as well her own OCD, autism and mental health difficulties. Earlier this year, Amanda also lost her beloved ‘Nan’ Joyce Field, who was 90, and lived at Forest Town.

Amanda said: “It’s just been a horrible year, what with Covid, and losing my nan, and not being able to work.

"We’ve struggled to make ends meet and pay the bills, my partner Richard is 42 and a delivery driver for Dominoes, it has been hard to exist on one wage.

"I’m usually that person who helps everyone else, I’m stubborn, I don’t like asking for help, but the school stepped in when they realised they couldn’t call us because we couldn’t afford to run our mobiles. We just don’t have them.

“They have really helped us, we were given a £35 Iceland voucher and food parcels. James has come home with chocolates and Christmas gifts. They are amazing, they have literally given us our Christmas back.

“It’s meant the money we budgeted for food, we have been able to use to pay heating bills, and running the car for Richard’s job. Throughout Covid the school had an open door policy, they went above and beyond their call of duty, they are life savers.”

She added: “James is now third in his class! He is amazing. I am so grateful to the academy and couldn't be prouder of James. I just want to say thank you for giving our Christmas some real cheer.”