Children of Eastbourne key workers make uplifting rainbow posters at school

The pupils at Eastbourne Academy are some of the few who have had to remain at school as their parents’ jobs are vital to the effort to fight coronavirus.

They have enjoyed a range of activities and projects, including making these colourful posters with words of encouragement and advice.

This includes, ‘stay safe’, ‘keep calm and be happy’, ‘dance like a unicorn’, and of course ‘stay home, stay safe’.

School principal Victoria Stevens said, “It is important during these difficult times that we maintain our strong sense of community and support for one another.

“One of the best things about our school is the sense of community spirit that exists amongst students in all year groups, staff and families and I am determined that we will not lose this.

“Whether students are working in school or out of school we are proud of each and every one of them and look forward to the time when we are all back together.”

-

Message from the editor, Gary Shipton

Thank you for reading this story on our website. But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world.

Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: “Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role.”

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

In addition, please write to your MP urging the Government to provide some additional financial support for local newspapers and their websites like this one and ensuring that supermarkets continue to stock them.

I cannot stress enough how important such an intervention would be.We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice.

Thank you.