The Charter School North Dulwich are aiming to raise £30,000 towards the redevelopment of the back ball court into a multi-use games pitch in memory of colleague, Karla Pappon, who tragically died last year taking part in a charity cycle ride.

In September 2020, the school community were devastated by the sudden death of long serving staff member and Assistant SENCo, Karla Pappon. Karla was taking part in a fundraising charity bike ride from London to Brighton when she came off her bike on route. Karla sustained serious injuries and tragically, despite the best medical attention, never regained consciousness, dying on 4 October 2020.

The School and Trust community has been devastated by this loss. Karla’s work within the SEN team at the school positively impacted many pupils and their families over the ten years she worked there. She was tireless in her work to ensure that all pupils could achieve their best but was also committed to the wider life of the school, running the school’s tennis club for many years and supporting The Friends of the Charter School in her spare time.

The Charter School North Dulwich want to pay tribute to Karla and the amazing work she did for the school as well as recognising her passion for sport, in particular tennis, while improving the sports’ facilities at the school for the benefit of all pupils and the wider community. The school is proposing to build the ‘Pappon Court’ where the current back ballcourts are situated behind the Sports Hall. This project will give the school a first-class multi-sports games area but will also provide a much-needed facility for the community. In total the project will cost around £250,000 and we will be seeking funding from a variety of sources.

To kick-start the project members of staff from across The Charter Schools Educational Trust are planning to cycle from London to Brighton on the 25 September 2021. Another group of staff will be walking 10 miles along the coast to Brighton on the same day. The aim is to raise £30,000 for this fantastic project. Karla’s family are fully supportive of the event, and we hope that everyone who knew Karla and were touched by her passion for the school and its pupils will give generously to help us to reach our goal.

For more information about the Charter Schools Educational Trust or the fundraiser please contact Shalene Varcoe at svarcoe@tcset.org.uk and Wendy Andrews at wandrews@charternorthdulwich.org.uk.