After many weeks of planning and preparation, Charity Week finally arrived. Every morning we heard from each House in Chapel about the charity they are supporting and what event they were running to raise funds. Many of the charities chosen this year had the personal touch, as the girls had nominated them because either they or their families had been affected or had received support.
Our first event was held by Mews - the UV Form House, and this was the sale of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in aid of Diabetes UK. They sold all 504 doughnuts in 20 minutes! Next time they think they will order a lot more. Diabetes UK is the leading UK charity that cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of all people affected by and at risk of diabetes.
Thursday evening was the turn of the UVI Form at the Sixth Form House: they held a clothes, shoes and accessories sale in aid of Prospect Hospice near Swindon. Prospect Hospice is the only provider of dedicated end of life care in the community, and has brought confidence, comfort and care to patients and their families for over thirty years: 'The scope of our care is broader than you might expect: you will find us supporting patients in the purpose-built Hospice, in the Great Western Hospital, and more than ever in people's own homes. Available to all who need it, care is given freely to all who need it.'
Saturday evening was the turn of the LVI Form in Joyce Walters House, where they put on a film night and tuck shop in aid of the Cure Parkinson's Trust. The charity funds innovative projects and inspirational scientists with the aim of building momentum towards a cure. It brings scientists together to improve communication and promotes collaboration between researchers. The girls watched the film 'Water for Elephants' and it was enjoyed by all who attended.
Sunday was a very busy day with all of the remaining Houses putting on events throughout the day. MIV Form House - St Prisca’s - started us off by holding brunch and a tombola. Delicious bacon and sausage sandwiches, homemade waffles and lots of cakes were available and an extensive tombola stall was available. This was in aid of The Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy and The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
IICP offers multifaceted services to infants, children and adults with cerebral palsy and a range of training programmes for persons with disability, parents and family members, professionals, students and personnel working in the community. Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK's most common, life-threatening, inherited diseases. The Trust is the UK's only national charity dealing with all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis affects over 9,000 people in the UK. Over two million people in the UK carry the faulty gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis which is around 1 in 25 of the population. Cystic Fibrosis affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food.
The LV Form in Gibbins House set up their common room as a 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s' Café. All the girls donned their little black dresses and pearls to serve up a range of toasted sandwiches, nachos, soup and a chocolate fountain in aid of Dorothy House Hospice Care.
Dorothy House is a charity, founded on Christian principles of care. All their services in the community and the hospice are provided free of charge and with equal access to all. Their aim is to offer physical, psychological, social and spiritual care to patients and their families facing life threatening illness, death or bereavement, who have specific problems which need specialist skills. In partnership with all others involved, they focus on quality of life, respecting the uniqueness of each person and their family.
The LIV Form in School House put on a Féte and Games in Red Hall. There were a multitude of sweetie stalls, candy floss, guess the weight of the cake thanks to Deputy Housemistress Miss Collings, name the hamster, a treasure map and lots lots more, in aid of Molly’s Fund.
Molly May Lane Fox was a beautiful, fun loving and energetic four year old with her whole life ahead of her, when, in November 2007, what appeared to be an innocent cough suddenly took a sinister turn. Molly started having headaches that were relieved by being sick. On the 10th December 2007, she was diagnosed with a Diffuse Pontine Glioma, a malignant tumour that needs a million cells to be visible and once you can see it, it’s too late. The medical and palliative support that Molly received was superb. However, specialists operate out of different hospitals, treatment research is difficult and clinical trials in the UK are few and far between.
Our day concluded with the UIV Form at St Cecilia’s House holding a Carnival Café full of cream teas, beautiful homemade cakes, hot chocolate mountains and pick and mix, along with a nail bar. Some brave staff 'volunteered' to have cream pies thrown at them as well all to raise extra funds for Alongside Bulgaria and Global Volunteers Network. Alongside Bulgaria is an international partnership of people dedicated to helping children in Bulgaria: 'We believe that the most effective way to help is to support the work of Bulgarian Christians among their own people, by standing and serving alongside them.'
The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) was launched in December 2000 by Colin Salisbury, its Founder and Executive Director, after spending time volunteering in Ghana, West Africa. While he was there, he saw the tremendous difference volunteers could make in helping local organisations achieve their goals. Upon returning to New Zealand, he spent some time researching the different volunteer organisations around the world and was amazed at how expensive and limiting many programs were in terms of volunteer opportunities.
Their vision is to connect people with communities in need, with a particular focus on vulnerable women and children. They do this by supporting the work of local community organisations in countries through the placement of international volunteers.
As you can see, they girls worked incredibly hard and had lots of fun. Many thanks also go to the staff and parents who worked alongside our enthusiastic girls to make it a great week. There will be a mufti day later this week and then we will be able to announce the grand total that has been raised.