RaG events raise a huge total
STUDENTS at a Sixth Form college in Farnham raised more than £7,000 for charity in its annual fundraising week, which included throwing pies at teachers.
The students at All Hallows Sixth Form College achieved the fundraising feat during the school’s annual Raising and Giving (RaG) Week, choosing to donate to the charities Disability Initiative and Mind.
Disability Initiative aims to rehabilitate people with acquired disabilities and Mind is dedicated to empowering people to overcome mental health problems.
Georgia Brown, a senior student in Year 13, said: “Mind was such an obvious choice. There is a lot of stigma surrounding mental health issues – by raising money for this amazing charity it meant we were not only providing financial support for a worthy cause but helping to increase awareness too.”
RaG Week is an important part of the community service that students at All Hallows undertake throughout their two years in the college. Luke Stephens, another senior student, said: “RaG Week is an opportunity for us to support charitable causes and at the same time have a great deal of fun. We are lucky to be able to organise this huge event for the whole school community, something we could never have had the chance to do at a stand-alone Sixth Form college.”
The funds, which set a record for fundraising at the school, were raised through a series of daily events that included wet sponge throwing and pie tossing at teachers, to the innovative thrift shop where students were able to do their bit for the environment by buying recycled items.
Events held during the week ranged from a mini-Olympics to a Just Dance extravaganza, as well as a funfair and bake sales.
There was also a lip-sync event where the school’s teachers went head to head mouthing the lyrics to favourite pop songs like the Spice
Girls’ Wannabe and the Back Street Boys’ Everybody.
Mrs Jones, head of college, said: “We are so proud of our incredible Sixth Form students, particularly the senior students and house captains. By raising this phenomenal amount in such a short space of time they have shown themselves to be excellent ambassadors of our college.”
Senior student Kezia Stanford said: “All Hallows Sixth Form is a very special place. As well as the fantastic support we get with our academic studies, the college provides us with huge opportunities to develop other skills and attributes.
“As part of the Senior Student Team, not only have we had the privilege to work on this annual fundraising event but we are organising other important events such as our upcoming Sixth Form open evening on Thursday (November 18). We are excited about being able to showcase our amazing college by welcoming our present Year 11 students and those from other schools too.”