Pupils and teachers at Wirral Grammar School for Boys have spent the last year fundraising for UNICEF. Sixth former Sean Cavanagh reports.
After the horrific floods in Pakistan and South East Asia in July and August 2010, where many of the victims were children of our own age, last year’s Head Boy Jan Greenshaw moved quickly to make fundraising for UNICEF our priority for the year.
Our school supports one charity a year and this is not the first time we have supported UNICEF. Unsurprising it's a popular cause for those in our age group.
Every single boy in our school contributed to the effort.
The whole school joined in with non-uniform days for a small donation each, while members of the sixth form took the idea further with festive and silly tie days.
Whole forms worked together on their own events, simple things like sponsored silences and bake sales, while individuals were able to shine in talent competitions and the annual air guitar championship. Members of staff were also willing to get involved with a ‘Weakest Link’ competition and the ever-popular staff karaoke.
The scale of events ranged from the small – collection tins in every form room and at lunchtimes – to the grand.
Jan Greenshaw and two others, Michael Bowen and David Lawrie, took on the Three Peaks Challenge to climb Britain’s tallest mountains – Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Mount Snowdon in Wales – within the space of 24 hours. It was a truly amazing undertaking. Though less taxing, the physical effort of the school fancy dress fun run was also worth a mention.
The lower years in particular played their part, organising a number of quiz competitions and film screenings, while the music department recorded a song and gave proceeds to charity.
Though much of the credit must go to pupils who have since left for university, our current Head Boy Team are doing their best to follow their fine example. Current members took part in the Wirral Coastal Charity Walk with members of the outgoing team.
Sean presents the proceeds of his school's fundraising efforts to a UNICEF UK representative.
In total as a school we raised over £6,000 for UNICEF last year, a total we were delighted with. We're confident UNICEF will use it wisely to benefit children not as fortunate as we have been around the world.
We were very proud to be able to present a cheque to a representative of UNICEF who came to visit the school. As a member of the current team, I can only hope we live up to the example of the previous team and are able to give as much as they have done.
Inspired?