THE FAMILY of Caversham headteacher Ruth Perry has raised more than £70,000 in crowdfunding after they were denied legal aid in the upcoming inquest into her death.
Ruth Perry took her own life in January after being informed by Ofsted inspectors that Caversham Primary School, of which she was the head, would drop from an “Outstanding” to “Inadequate” rating.
This resulted in national scrutiny of the education standards organisation, and an inquest was launched into its role in Ms Perry’s death.
Now her family has been denied funding for legal aid during the inquest due to start this week.
Officials from Ofsted are set to appear at the inquest in person for questioning, alongside Reading Borough Council members and representatives of the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust.
As public bodies, their legal costs will be paid through public funding, but during inquests it is considered that the coroner is acting on behalf of the family, with the Ministry of Justice describing legal aid for families as “not necessary” in the vast majority of cases.
They have argued, however, that they should be represented directly as the case is of national interest.
Ms Perry’s sister, Prof Julia Waters, launched the GoFundMe with an initial goal of £50,000 to cover the costs of the family’s representation.
As of Monday, November 27, just one day before the inquest is set to begin, the crowdfund had reached more than £70,000 of donations from more than 4,000 contributors, including nearly £3,000 from The Nags Head pub in central Reading
A post on the pub’s Twitter/X account on Saturday said: “Ruth was well known to the Nags and a vital part of not just the Caversham community but the whole Reading community and more.
“Her life was literally dedicated to making other people’s lives better which is the saddest thing about the whole thing.
“Her family have been denied legal support in the inquest that will hopefully reveal the truth about the circumstances leading to Ruth’s death and the opportunities that were missed to prevent it
“They hope that lessons can be learnt to prevent future such deaths from occurring.”
It continued: “We feel so strongly about this that we will be donating the entirety of tomorrow’s take to the Perry family’s crowdfunded.”
The family said on the crowdfunding page: “We are launching this crowdfunding campaign to fund the family’s legal advice for, and representation at, the inquest into Ruth’s death, to be held at Berkshire Coroners’ Court between 28 November and 7 December 2023.
“The family hopes that the inquest will reveal the truth about the circumstances leading to Ruth’s death and the opportunities that were missed to prevent it.
“They hope that lessons can be learnt to prevent future such deaths from occurring.”
It went on: “Please donate to our crowdfunder if you feel the lack of legal aid for Ruth Perry’s family is unjust and inequitable, and if you wish to support their campaign for meaningful change in Ruth’s name.
“Even a small donation would make a big difference, both financially and as a sign of your collective moral support for Ruth’s family.”
It also confirmed that any excess funds will be donated to Inquest, the only charity in the UK which supports people bereaved by state-related deaths.
Details of the crowdfund are available via the GoFundMe page at: gofundme.com/f/fund-familys-legal-costs-for-ruth-perry-inquest
