Grieving husband fundraises to help Rotherham school his wife loved before tragic death
“All she wanted to do was have an impact on the young lives at the school, they meant the world to her”
The heartbroken husband of a popular headteacher who died after suffering a heart attack has set up a fundraising campaign to help support the school where she worked.
Rachael Booth, headteacher at The Willows special education school in Thurcroft, suffered a heart attack on the premises and died a few days later.
An outpouring of support and sympathy from the school, parents and the public was voiced and now her grieving husband Andrew has set up an online fundraising appeal on gofundme to help the school his wife loved.
Mr Booth said: “My wife, Rachael Booth, was the headteacher at the Willows special school in Thurcroft.
“She passed away on the 20th October from a heart attack.
“Our family are absolutely heartbroken but what has been unbelievably astonishing is the amount of love and support we have received from the whole community.
“She wasn’t just the headteacher, she was the heart and soul of the school, all she wanted to do was have an impact on the young lives at the school, they meant the world to her!
“I would love to set up a funding page for the Willows School in Thurcroft. It is crucial that these kids get the continuing love and support that they need and Rachael was the driving force that epitomised the whole ethos the school stood for!”
Donations can be made via https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-willows-special-needs-school?cp_src=d
Well-wishers have already raised more than £2,700 in tribute to Mrs Booth.
Mrs Booth’s niece, Natalie Molyneaux, has also issued a moving tribute to her auntie.
She said: “My auntie was a very special lady who taught maths in the 90s/early 2000s at Valley Comprehensive School in Worksop.
“She was one of the best teachers anyone could ever ask for. She went above and beyond for her pupils and made learning fun.
“She truly was a very respected woman and she did lots of charity events for the Willows raising funds to buy minibuses so she could take the kids to the seaside.
“She would do pie, peas and bingo at the school for all her pupils’ families and friends with special prizes.
“She really was a wonderful person and she has left a huge impact many people’s lives.
“My uncle has set this gofundme to raise funds for the Willows and this represents everything my auntie as done her whole life.”