A donation of £1,000 has been handed over to Dover Park Primary School thanks to a bequest by Ray Allen, the famous Ryde scriptwriter who penned Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. This kind act aims to support the school’s ongoing efforts to provide the children with the best educational experience possible and to foster a love of reading. Ray sadly passed away a couple of years ago, but as he was so passionate in his belief that everyone should be able to read, he had left some funds for the school in his memory. His wife, Nancy, kindly raised further money to further enhance the donation. The funds will primarily be used to fund the purchase of new library books, ensuring that Dover Park’s children have an even wider range of reading materials to explore and enjoy. In addition, a portion of the donation will be allocated towards the renovation of the school’s playground stage, creating a vibrant space for the children to engage in creative and imaginative play in their break times. To commemorate this special occasion, the children were treated to clips from the classic comedy show ‘Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em’, which was written by Ray from his home in Haylands. The children’s enjoyment was evident, bringing joy to all who witnessed it and a school hall full of laughter. Reflecting on this heartwarming experience, Nancy Allen expressed her hope that the funds raised can be used to further enrich the lives of the children at Dover Park. 
Headteacher of Dover Park School, Mr Kirby, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Nancy for her exceptional generosity, stating:
“This incredible sum of money will make a huge difference to the children at Dover Park, and we can’t thank Nancy enough for her kindness and support.”
In addition to this amazing donation, Dover Park Primary School received an extraordinary contribution in the form of a signed photograph and 9 signed books from British comedian and author, David Walliams – a friend of Ray and Nancy. This delightful gesture will undoubtedly ignite a passion for reading among the children, as they delve into the captivating stories penned by Walliams. Further on the life of Ray Allen can be found in the following Island Echo article.
