Local students organise school fete fundraiser
Last week, students and staff at Stanground Academy, part of Greenwood Academies Trust, came together to host a fundraising event to support four charities - Macmillan Cancer, The RSPCC, Children with Cancer and The Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The fundraiser, which was organised by the Stanground Union of Students (the Academy’s student leadership team), raised more than £1,500.
The fundraiser was developed with the support of Year 8 and Year 8 students, who based it on an ‘old-fashioned’ school fete, featuring stalls, including a Soak a teacher (stocks), sports competitions and guessing games.
The organising student team hopes this will now become an annual event that future Head Students can bring to life and strengthen the bond between Stanground Academy and its local community.
Reflecting on her choice of charity, Faith, current Head Student and member of the Stanground Union of Students at Stanground Academy, said:
"The Motor Neurone Disease Association resonates with me personally, as a much-adored family member sadly passed after a lengthy struggle with this tragic disease. Afterwards, it became clear to me just how underfunded and unresearched motor neurone disease is, to the point where the average person has never heard of this devastating illness.
“With our help, my hope is that motor neurone disease can become a disease that can be treated and managed, providing those diagnosed with some comfort in such an uncertain time."
Andrew, current Head Student at Stanground Academy, shared:
“I chose Children with Cancer UK because cancer affects so many children and families and I wanted to support a cause that helps make a difference due to many of my friends and their families suffering from this horrible disease. Raising money for this charity felt like a meaningful way to help and hopefully by us contributing to this amazing cause it can give more children the chance to live healthy, happy lives.”
Leo, a Year 7 student at the Academy, added:
“This is a great way to raise money for our charity Macmillan Cancer. I do lots of fundraising with my dad for Macmillan so it’s brilliant I can do it at school as well.”
Mrs Joannou, Head of Stanground Academy, said:
“I couldn’t be prouder of the work and commitment from our Student Leadership Team in pulling this amazing fundraising event together. This event has become a significant day in our school calendar and one that will bring our school community together to help raise awareness and funds for the wonderful charities we are supporting. This is the first event of its kind across the Academy and I hope one of many. A special thank you to Faith and Andrew for your inspiring student leadership.”
Wayne Norrie OBE, CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust, said:
“I am incredibly proud of the students and staff at Stanground Academy for their initiative, compassion and commitment to supporting such important causes. Events like this demonstrate the very best of what our schools stand for – empowering young people to make a positive difference in their communities. The leadership, teamwork and empathy shown by the students is truly inspiring and I look forward to seeing this become a lasting tradition at the Academy.”