Lord Wandsworth School – CHARITY BEGINS AT SCHOOL
08 Nov 2016
A school that began through the will of a wealthy man has shown its own charitable aptitude by raising over £22,000 during the last school year.
With events ranging from bake sales and non-uniform days to tough physical challenges, staff and pupils at Lord Wandsworth College have shown commitment to helping others. Charities supported include the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), Teenage Cancer Trust, CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and Macmillan as well as the school’s own Ghana Partnership. The College has also started a fund to build a War Memorial to honour former pupils who died for their country.
Many events have been nominated by pupils themselves with Sophie’s Fund being decided as a non-uniform day charity through a Dragon’s Den style presentation by 14 year old pupils. Lower 6th former, Robyn Wheeler, spoke movingly in an assembly about the Teenage Cancer Trust and Upper 6th former, Laith Al-Khalaf, spoke powerfully about the refugee crisis. Key Stage 3 pupils held a highly successful Christmas Fayre which raised £2000 for a cancer charity.
Boarding houses have raised money through coffee mornings or entertainment evenings featuring external speakers. Staff and pupils have taken on a range of physical challenges together – the 125 mile Devizes to Westminster canoe race and the John O’Groats to Land’s End cycle tour being just two.
Already the current school year has started with a charitable focus with 17 year-old Ben Baily completing the Mean Bean Challenge for the Tear Fund drawing attention to world hunger, a Colour Run being held for the War Memorial Fund and a Chase The Sun race around the Isle of Wight to raise funds for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
Headmaster, Adam Williams, said “As part of our +1 ethos, it is hugely important to us and our pupils that we seek to be fully engaged with the world outside the College. I am delighted that so many pupils put forward ideas and support events with such determination and they are an inspiration to us all. We are committed to developing our pupils’ social awareness and using their skills and passions to benefit the wider community. By doing this, we believe they are very much following the ideals of the College’s Founder.”
Photo:Participants in the Colour Run for a War Memorial Fund