STUDENTS at a Worcester school have raised a staggering £34,000 for St Richard’s Hospice in their ten years fund-raising for the charity.
The Royal Grammar School first began fund-raising for the hospice back in 2007 by supporting its Flourishing Fivers campaign.
The Flourishing Fivers campaign, which was launched in 2005, encourages pupils to become entrepreneurs and turn £5 into as much money as they can.
Pupils from Year 8, lead by Joanna Marsh, Head of Lower School Co-Curricular Activities, raised the cash through a number of fund-raising ideas including events such as sweet, cake and hot chocolate sales, nail painting, craft sales, sponsored cycle rides, a sponsored walk up Ben Nevis, Guess the Name of the Penguin and a triathlon.
In 2016, four pupils teamed up to take part in a sponsored 31-mile Worcestershire Way Walk over two days and another group of four cycled from Birmingham to Droitwich.
Jayne Sargeant, a fund-raiser at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We are extremely grateful for the continued support of the RGS pupils. They have more than excelled with their fund-raising activities and we are overwhelmed by their support.
“The total amount raised would allow us, for example, to fund our Day Hospice for three weeks, providing specialist care for up to 80 patients.
“Day Hospice provides individual care from our specialist team – along with a two course lunch – and the opportunity for patients to access a range of therapeutic activities such as adapted Tai Chi, creative and complementary therapies.
“It is wonderful to be able to recognise and celebrate such an important milestone. Well done to all those involved.”
Ms Marsh said: “Having been involved with the Flourishing Fivers Campaign at RGS for the last eight years, I have been amazed at the generosity and imagination of our students.
“The support of the form tutors in Year 8 has been fantastic and staff have always been ready to put hands into pockets to generously support events.
“Notable thanks should go to Margaret Sturdy who has carefully recorded every coin collected, the names of each person involved and the event itself, before raising the cheque for the final amount each year.”
