Eleanor Laing praises school as West Hatch High School's Sports Ball launches sports development project

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing has praised pupils, staff and parents at West Hatch High School after a fundraising Sports Ball launched a sports development project for the High Road school.

Money raised from Saturday’s glittering London event will go towards the project which would see a new sports ball next to the swimming pool which would be made available to the local community outside school hours.

The scheme would include some residential development on part of the High Road school site.

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing, who donated tea for two at the House of Commons – which attracted a bid of £400 - said: “It has been such an exciting evening. It’s wonderful to see so much talent among the West Hatch pupils.

“They and their parents and teachers have worked very hard and produced fantastic entertainment.”

She added: “It is also great that we have raised so much money for the sports development. It’s so important to give our local people the chance to excel in all aspects of sport.”

The evening featured stunning a gymnastics display, a dance duet from Isobel Gamble and Edward Chitticks, and musical performances from Jonathan Antoine, Charlotte Jaconelli, Joanna Yahama, Joanne-Marie Skillet and X-Factor contestant and former pupil John Wilding.

The evening was jointly compered by the school’s marketing and development officer Caroline Haines and Capital Radio and Smooth Radio DJ David ‘the Kid’ Jensen.

Among the guests were former West Ham United and Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley, former West Ham footballer George Parris and ex-Rugby Union international David Cook.

Photos: (Top) Eleanor Laing with former West Ham United and Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley, (Bottom) Eleanor Laing with Alan Curbishley and West Hatch High School head teacher Frances Howarth, and a West Ham United shirt donated and signed by former West Ham player George Parris.