STUDENTS at Commonweal School were invited to come to the cabaret and watch their teachers tread the boards for charity.

The charity cabaret, performed which has been performed every year since 2011, was held this year in support of Swindon Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death) along with former student Louise Hunt’s mission to represent Great Britain in the Rio Paralympics this summer.

“The staff cabaret was absolutely amaze-balls," said Josie Williams, community arts officer at Commonweal.

"After last year’s event we didn’t think we could improve but wow, what a night we had. Highlights for me had to be the recurrent comedy quartet who did a selection of sketches that were hilarious.

" We also loved the video featuring the whole senior management team headed up by our ever-willing headteacher, Mr Keith defter. "

Each year more staff get involved in the cabaret which has seen a greater variety of acts and talents. This year there were around 40 staff including teachers, support staff and admin staff taking to the stage in different guises.

The initial count up suggests the school smashed its initial target of £2,000 and raised closer to £3,000.

At the event Kirsty Driver, head of music at Commonweal gave an deeply emotional speech about how Sands helped support her and her husband after the still-birth of her daughter in 2010.

She said: “In 2010 the most devastating thing happened to my husband and I. Five days before our beautiful daughter Isobel was due to be born, she passed away in my sleep.

"When she was born the midwife at the hospital gave me a box full of things that I will cherish forever. I was given a lock of her hair, hand and foot casts, lots of photos, a blanket that they had wrapped her up in, her hospital bands, a card and two teddies. One teddy was buried with Izzy and the other is in her memory box at home.

"I soon learnt that this box was given to me by Swindon Sands. I didn’t look in the box for a week or so because it was so painful. But when I felt ready I held the beautiful knitted blanket and teddy whilst reading the information from Swindon Sands.

"From their words I grew enough confidence to attend a meeting, and from there I have found new friendships and support from other parents who truly understand how we were feeling at that dark time.

"Without Sands I would have been so lost in those first few months, and I have leant on them for support ever since.

"Swindon Sands is the most fantastic group of caring people I have ever come across and the work they do is priceless for those who go through the heartbreak of losing a child.”

Prizes for the evening were donated by local businesses, staff and parents.