Charity Week 2019 Raises £10,704!
“To be properly charitable it is essential that the sense of responsibility and compassion, the spirit of charity, accompanies it and extends both to our own communities and others. It is about engendering the traits of simple kindness and thoughtfulness in our schools and communities towards those who are not so fortunate as ourselves in the world at large. It is about imbuing children both with the habit of giving and sharing and with a sense of responsibility about the world they live in.” - The Telegraph
Thank you!
Northampton School for Boys staged its annual Charity Week just before Christmas. Charity Week is a long established tradition having run for over 30 years, each year raising funds for a variety of international, national and local causes.
The week was a resounding success, showing the continued commitment, energy and imagination of NSB students and staff. As well as being very enjoyable, the week highlights to the students various charities who are championing the plight of others in our communities and wider society.
The charities have been chosen from suggestions given to us from the student body – many of these are close to our hearts – for the majority of these charities we have students or staff and their families and friends who have accessed the support given by these charities and some who are currently living with the difficulties that can arise from the issues which these charities support.
It is important that we not only enjoy charity week and that we raise as much money as possible but that we understand why it is important that we raise money and for everyone to know where our money is going.
As usual each Form produced an idea as to an event they could run on their House day as well as undertaking a sponsored event where, in some cases, students pushed themselves to their limits physically. Events included Mufti Day, 6th Form/Staff Christmas Jumper day, dodgeball, games, competitions, cake sales, a library quiz, leg waxing, sweets in the jar, games arcade, penalty shoot outs, sweet pong, donut competition, archery, gifts/poems of kindness and dress backwards day alongside sponsored events including conga runs, marathons, dance marathons, triathlons, fitness challenges, silences... plus so much more.
XX factor, yet again, organised and hosted by Mr Charidine, raised an enormous amount of money and there was such talent on the stage, various genres of music represented and lots of fun with surprise appearances by the Bradbury brothers bringing on the male staff choir and Mrs Davies singing brilliantly once again. Thanks to all Mr Charidine, our contestants, guest hosts, judges, crowd control and technical crew. A fantastic well done to the overall winner Lindani Ndou and to runner up Alex Coe – just awesome. Special mention to Conrad Basi and Jacob Benhayoun who were due to perform in the final but unfortunately Conrad suffered a concussion - next year!
We also had I'm A Teacher Get Me Out of Here arranged by Mr Winfield and, won by Mr J Bradbury and University Challenge hosted by Mr Rolleston and won by Manley but unfortunately the British weather struck and the Hare and Hounds with students chasing House Directors was rained off but next year hopefully all of these events will be back. We also had our annual charity raffle with the House Leadership selling tickets around the school – thanks go to them and to the staff who kindly donated prizes and also to Nandos, The Royal and Derngate, Pinnacle Climbing Centre and Virgin Active.
All Forms from Y7-13 participated in charity week and helped raise such an outstanding amount of money. 7Q, 7R, 8I, 9P are worthy of mention for the exceptional level of money raised with some students going above and beyond in their sponsorship endeavours but it is important to remember that every penny counts towards changing people’s lives. Hopefully students will continue in their charitable enterprises with an increased awareness of those in need and will, in the future, not only give money but also their time to help others.
We would like to thank anyone that has helped in organising Charity Week and all the students who entered into the spirit of the week to raise such an amazing amount of money for very worthy causes. We are now looking forward to our Charity handover on 4th February where representatives from the charities (see below) will attend a small gathering. We will hand over their cheques and they will be able to meet some of the staff and students who helped to ensure that Charity Week 2019 was again a spectacular success.
Lindsay Greenaway
Assistant Head Equality and Diversity
The Student House Leadership Team
3 Reasons to Give to Charity:
- GIVING TO CHARITY MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD
The knowledge that you’re helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled. Research has identified a link between making a donation to charity and increased activity in the area of the brain that registers pleasure - proving that as the old adage goes, it really is far better to give than to receive.
- GIVING TO CHARITY STRENGTHENS PERSONAL VALUES
A feeling of social conscience was the most widely-given reason to give to charity, feeling they had a moral duty to use what they had to help others, a sentiment very much rooted in their personal values and principles. Acting on these powerful feelings of responsibility is a great way to reinforce our own personal values and feel like we’re living in a way that is true to our own ethical beliefs.
- GIVING TO CHARITY INTRODUCES YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF GENEROSITY
Sharing the experience of donating to charity shows them from a young age that they can make positive changes in the world. Young people naturally love to help others, so nurturing their innate generosity is likely to mean that they grow up with a greater appreciation of what they have, and will carry on supporting charity in years to come.
From the Charities Aid Foundation
The charities that we are supporting this year are:
Local Charities
Charities we are supporting:
BacZac His Legacy - In memory of former pupil Zac Forskitt www.baczac.com
Zac at the age of 20 was diagnosed with two rare forms of cancer. Both friends in Northampton and Nottingham where Zac was at University studying, with the aid of patrons of Old Northamptonians pulled together to create #BacZac. In a testament to Zac and the impressions he had made, more money was raised then was ever imaginable. But unfortunately in March 2016 Zac lost his brave and courageous battle, it was decided that a legacy would be created in Zac’s honour, helping other young adults going through similar trials and tribulations.
The Lowdown
http://thelowdown.info/
They provide a free and confidential service 6 days a week for 12-25 year olds in relation to counselling, sexual health and LGBTQ support.
Lowdown LGBT: Click Here
Lowdown Leaflet: Click Here
Northampton Saints Foundation – https://www.northamptonsaintsfoundation.org/
Aims to improve the motivation, self-esteem and learning of young people through the medium of sport.
Cynthia Spencer Hospice – https://www.cynthiaspencer.org.uk/
Palliative care for adults with life limiting illnesses. They provide inpatient care, outpatient services, Hospice@Home, lymphoedema service and palliative care clinical nurse specialist service.
Eve - Domestic Violence and Abuse Help in Northamptonshire
Transforming lives affected by Domestic Violence
They work to give FREEDOM back to Women and Children
who have suffered any form of domestic abuse or violence. They say the 3 things they do are:
Protect – running a Family Refuge in Northamptonshire for over 15 years
Prepare – helping women who are victims of domestic abuse to rebuild their lives and prepare them for the future
Prevent – offering therapeutic group work sessions for women, children and families that help develop resilience and the confidence to change their lives
12R also collected gifts of toiletries, toys, food and books to be given to the charity for those individuals who have had to leave their homes without anything.
Motor Neurone Disease Association Northampton – information and support for people suffering with MND, their families and carers. https://www.mndassociation.org/
MND affects the brain and nerves shortening life expectancy.
National Charities
Greenpeace UK
Greenpeace defends the natural world and promotes peace by investigating, exposing and confronting environmental abuse, and championing solutions.
Asthma UK – https://www.asthma.org.uk/
They help hundreds of thousands of people will their expert help and advice, they fund world class Asthma research and campaign to improve the quality of care for those suffering with Asthma.
Mr J Bradbury, an Art teacher at the school, is currently raising money for this cause and is in training to run the London marathon. Good Luck!
Papyrus – Preventing Young Suicide
Papyrus is the national charity for the prevention of young suicide.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people – male and female – under 35 in the UK. In 2015, 1,659 young people took their own lives. That equates to over four per day. Every year many thousands more attempt or contemplate suicide, harm themselves or suffer alone, afraid to speak openly about how they are feeling.
They endeavour to save young lives and believe that with appropriate support and education, many young suicides can be prevented.
They deliver awareness and prevention training, provide confidential support and suicide intervention through HOPELineUK, campaign and influence national policy, and empower young people to lead suicide prevention activities in their own communities.
Mind – Mental Health Charity https://www.mind.org.uk/
Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. But hundreds of thousands of people are still struggling. MIND believe no-one should have to face a mental health problem alone. They will listen, give you support and advice, and fight your corner. They can help people make choices about treatment, understand your rights or reach out to sources of support. Their aim is to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and they campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. MIND won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.
MacMillan Cancer Support https://www.macmillan.org.uk/
They provide physical, financial and emotional support to help those suffering with cancer, live life as fully as they can. There is also an online community
Oddballs - https://www.theoddballsfoundation.com/
Raising awareness of testicular cancer. They have a shop where the profits go to the foundation – lots of brightly coloured underwear, hats and umbrellas to name a few. You can also buy the bobble hats at student services in school for £15.
Anthony Nolan https://www.anthonynolan.org/
Saves the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders by engaging in research and operating a stem cell register
Alzheimer’s Society
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
The word dementia’s describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or a series of strokes. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. The Alzheimer’s Society raises money so that it can help support and care for those with dementia but also train people and undertake research.
International Charities
Mbekweni Primary School, South Africa – continued link with NSB established initially through a previous Rugby tour. These young people go to school despite living in very difficult conditions - prevalence of HIV/AIDS and gangs - they want to learn and succeed. Many of them have lost friends to gang culture - the streets can be a dangerous place for them and school can help them rise above this.
Ocean Conservation Trust – committed to protecting and preserving our oceans
https://oceanconservationtrust.org/
The Ocean Conservation Trust is a global Ocean conservation charity, and we recognise that if you want to conserve nature, you have to start with people.
We are committed to protecting and preserving our Ocean by starting exciting conversations and helping as many people as possible to connect with our Ocean. In parallel, we deliver innovative Ocean habitat restoration projects, to secure a future for the Ocean that we all rely on.
