SCHOOL children went on a fundraising mission to thank hospital staff who saved the life of their parish priest.

Sticklands Primary School in Evershot raised a total of £130 for Dorset County Hospital through a Yummy Healthy Sale of nutritious food.

The special event was held at the school following the recovery of the Rev David Harknett.

Mr Harknett, from the Melbury Team Ministry, who is also a governor at the school, was admitted to the Dorchester hospital in April with a virulent bacterial infection in his bones which had led to septicaemia and multiple organ failure.

He went on to spend two-and-a-half weeks being cared for in the intensive care unit and another four weeks on the Purbeck Orthopaedic Ward.

With the help of the dedicated team at Dorset County Hospital Mr Harknett managed to recover from what had been a very serious, life-threatening condition.

After the school’s fundraising success, Mr Harknett paid a visit to the hospital with daughters Eve and Carys, who attend Sticklands, to hand over a cheque to chief executive Jean O’Callaghan.

He was joined by school staff members Sara Jackson and Sadie Watson.

Mr Harknett had high praise for the ‘remarkable’ staff who had cared for him on the intensive care unit and the Purbeck Ward.

He said: “I can’t thank the staff for everything they have done for me, they are truly remarkable people.”

Mrs O’Callaghan thanked the school for the funds they had raised on behalf of the patients and vowed to put the money to good use.

She said: “We are so grateful for the donation and will put the money to good use for the benefit of our patients. “It’s wonderful to see Mr Harknett recovering so well after such an ordeal.”