By Mrs Johnson, Charities Co-ordinator

Our charities initiatives got off to a flying start last week with our staff-parent team in the Ealing Half Marathon and our students running in the Mini Mile for one of our designated local charities, The Log Cabin. We also ran a successful all-school sportswear dress up day for the charity. Thank you for all your support on the route and your donations. If you would still like to donate to this fantastic cause, our JustGiving page is still open here. Thank you.

Our Charities Reps led an assembly this week detailing our upcoming activities and initiatives.

Uganda Sportswear Collection

Continuing the sports theme, we are also organising a Uganda Sportswear Collection. Charity Rep Nirupama said, “We have been helping to organise a sportswear and netball collection in our Year 11 enrichment sessions. The donations are going to be collected by the Ugandan National Netball Team, better known as the ‘She-Cranes’ and sent to Uganda.” Nirupama spoke about their captain Peace Proscovia, who is an amazing role model as she aims to empower young women and girls to pursue sports and to give themselves a better life. “We want to give underprivileged children the opportunity to play sports such as netball and to draw inspiration from their national and local teams such as the She-Cranes.”

We would love donations of old sportswear such as sports shirts, skorts and tracksuit bottoms, but they must be in good condition. We are also accepting netballs. The donations are being collected from the atrium next week. We are also holding a bake sale on 30th September with a dress up day in aid of the Uganda Sportswear Collection next week.

Harvest Collection

Charities Rep Preet announced our annual harvest collection on October 4th at the assembly. Each form group will work together to create a hamper containing donations and there will then be a competition to see who creates the best harvest hamper. A list of items is shown on the board and includes things such as dried milk, instant coffee, tinned fruit and vegetables, and rice.

The hampers will be collected and given to the Ealing Foodbank, part of The Trussell’s Trust Network, made up of 428 food banks across the UK.

Year 11’s Charity – The Felix Project

Charities Reps Estella and Stanzi introduced their Year group’s chosen charity, The Felix Project, a London-based charity which tackles issues of food waste and hunger. Stanzi said, “We have chosen this charity because it tackles multiple issues that are very important. It is enabling less food waste that could easily go to people who need it. The charity sorts and delivers food, free of charge, direct to local kitchens, community halls, schools, day centres and food banks. The charities provide meals, snacks or food parcels for their clients who include the elderly, the homeless, those with mental health issues, refugees , families and children.” Estella spoke about some of the events to support the charity, with highlights including bake sales and a teacher versus student dodgeball match in November!

Knitting Group Launch Care Squares!

Our Knitting Group are launching a brand new project called Care Squares!

The aim is to get as many people as possible, friends, families etc, to knit or crochet squares, which we will stitch together to make blankets. Students are encouraged to make them at home – contact Ms Duns about the size we are looking for, or are welcome to come along to Knitter Natter after school on Tuesdays to get knitting/crocheting!

The finished blankets will be donated to two charities, Ealing Soup Kitchen and the 240 Project. The Ealing Soup Kitchen is a volunteer-run charity, and aims to provide hot, nutritious food for the homeless, vulnerable, and & impoverished, as well as clothes, showers, a barber, practical help, and any other aid. The 240 Project is a local charity that supports people with a history of homelessness. They run an arts and wellbeing centre to improve confidence and skill sets. The charity focuses on improving the physical and mental health of members through regular activities such as cooking, drama, painting and singing.

Sixth Form Charity Fundraising – MeningitisNow

During PSHE, the Sixth Form worked together to create fundraising ideas for a charity event in support of MeningitisNow. Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord with an estimation of 8,000 viral and bacterial cases each year. Meningitis is most commonly found in 18-25 year olds which is why we believe it is vital to educate everyone especially the 6th form as we are coming to that age. Charities Reps Sophie & Niamh explained how MeningitisNow is the UKs leading meningitis charity that works to fund vaccines and research to reduce the impact of the disease by raising awareness and providing support for the families affected.

After listening to all the forms’ suggestions on what to do for our big fundraiser, the winning idea was a Teachers’ Drag Race! We have also set up a 20-strong Meningitis Now Squad to create and run events for the charity. Our first initiative is next Wednesday for World Meningitis Awareness Day, where Sixth Formers are invited to dress up as their favourite movie characters.

We are looking forward to another busy term and encourage everyone to get involved, not just in attending and donating at our charity events but also to take up some of the volunteering opportunities available too. Thank you all for your kind donations throughout the year, they have made a huge difference and are greatly appreciated.