A term of fundraising fun
This term is another busy one for fundraising as WGS students look to support its link school, Lords Meade in Uganda.
Students in Year 7 to Year 10 are taking part in an Inter-form competition to try to raise the most money (last year's winners 7Q raised a fantastic £668), whilst the money from non-uniform day and the Middle School on the 3rd Feb, the Ghost Walk* on March 2nd and the battle of the Bands on March 23rd will also go to this very worthwhile cause.
Last year WGS students raised £6000, and over over £1000 went to support three students Mary, Mackline and Tony. WGS has made a promise to each of these students that they will pay for their education until they finish school which means that we will need to raise £1000 each year - so we will have our work cut out, but it is certainly worth it as I hope you will agree...
... the three students were chosen by Mark Malinga, Head of Lords Meade and myself. I interviewed them in July 2011. It was shocked to hear the life histories of these three students. Their stories are all different but incredibly sad. For example Mackline’s parents died when she was very young. Her Grandparents looked after her for a while but when they died she went to live with her uncle who was very unkind and abused her. When she talked to me she started crying. She has no family now to turn to. She is so grateful that she will get funding from WGS to pay for her food, accommodation and education at Lords Meade.
Some of the money we raised was spent on a project that Rachel Davies Foote, Sophie, Miles and Gabriella Ryan got involved with as part of their community work during their six months stay in Uganda. It is called ASKO – African Street Kids Organisation. Over £1000 went to this organisation to help very needy students who were literally on the streets.
Mollie Parr and Charlotte Fellows Cox are flying out to Uganda on Saturday 28th January. Mollie and Charlotte will work for two days a week at a community based project as well as teaching for three days at Lords Meade Vocational College. We will give some of the money we raise this term to the community project where they work.
Anyone can sponsor a child to go to Lords Meade Vocational College. At least a third of the students there have sponsored places but there are many more children in the community who cannot afford to go to school. Many children are orphans because of AIDS. Sponsorship costs £340 a year which pays for their accommodation, food, education and medical bills. If you are interested in sponsorship do contact Mrs Fogarty or Mr Hall.
* following the success of November's Ghost Walk, WGS will be offering visitors the opportunity to once again delve into the 'spookier' side of its history
The WGS Ghost Walk taking place on March 2nd, will take guests around some of the darker corners of the Compton Road site, to learn about some of the characters from the past 500 years - students, teachers and Headmasters who once walked the corridors of the school... and perhaps still do!
The Ghost Walk begins at 7.30pm on Friday 2nd March and is suitable for Junior and Senior school students (and even some brave parents).
Tickets, available from general office, cost £5 adults / £2 children. Ticket price includes refreshments.
So come along and join in the spirit of the occasion!
