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  The PGM SCHOOL charity in the UK was set up to provide funds to educate the children of the Peter Gilliard Memorial School in
India - a part of the IFG Churches in Rajahmundry. From around 30 in
2003 the students numbers have increased to 396 by2010 in ten
classes. Around 40 of these are boarders. The children come mainly from poor
families, some are orphans and there are a mixture of beliefs. A
support staff of teachers and other workers number around 20, some of
whom live in houses built on the campus. The campus itself is a
beautiful 'oasis' in the midst of a squalid village near a busy main
road.
Based in Burnham on Sea, Somerset, a team of supporters raise money by monthly sponsoring
and a number of fundraising events and activities. Every year at least
one of the Trustees makes a personal visit to attend the Sports Day and
the Annual School Day performance, and to buy and distribute a gift of
an outfit of clothing to all the students and staff members.
The main fundraisers are the Annual Smile Walk, the R-Tex Art and Photography Exhibitions and 'Jayne's Junk'.
Other events include a Quiz Night, working at the Bridgwater Carnival,
collecting at a local garden centre and the Annual Meals. Look at the Gallery page for photos of most of these.
A brief history
 Peter David GilliardIn
January 2000 Peter and a group of friends visited the site of the
School. Soon after he was diagnosed terminally ill, so he gave his
money to build the first structure. (Click picture for Peter's story).
In
February 2003 Pastor Kelton Black of the Gospel Tabernacle Church Highbridge, Philip & Pat Leslie and Bob Saunders were privileged to go to India to dedicate the Peter Gilliard
Memorial Elementary School to the glory of God. Picture: Pastor A S W Jaikumar
with Peter in 2000
In August 2008 the project became a registered charity in the UK, with three Trustees,
the original founder Patricia Leslie, Jayne Feltham and Richard
Phillips, all of whom have made one or more visits to the School. The
name was shortened to P G M School.
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