Children across West Suffolk are hard at work raising funds for St Nicholas Hospice Care – whilst learning at the same time.
Rather than simply ask schools to fundraise, staff at the Hospice have worked closely with teachers to create tasks which fit into and complement the National Curriculum. This is the first time St Nicholas Hospice Care has tried such a campaign with schools, and it is being rolled out across 20 schools in West Suffolk and Thetford. Each school is sent a range of age-appropriate activity packs, which children get sponsored to complete. Children at Ixworth Middle School have been busy studying seasons, timezones, and designing clocks, as well as learning about the work of St Nicholas Hospice Care.
Teacher Sarah Dunsden, from Ixworth Middle School, says: “The children here are great at fundraising – they’ve raised over £600 this term already. The time-related tasks they’ve now been set are fun, bright and colourful – but they’re learning too. Some of the children have helped to run the project, which teaches them responsibility. As a teacher it’s very easy to administer. St Nicholas Hospice Care is such a worthy cause too – everyone really is a winner!”
As part of the initiative, St Nicholas Hospice Care Fundraisers Sue Long and Ian Norris are visiting schools to talk about what St Nicholas Hospice Care does, again at an age-appropriate level.
Children at Westfield Primary School in Haverhill have also been busy, drawing hands on clock faces and matching months to seasons. Deputy Headteacher Jill Lightfoot says: “We love to be involved in helping others – part of Westfield’s ethos is to teach children to help other people. The children really took to this task and did their best – and their parents have been as supportive as ever. The whole project has been for a great cause and tremendous fun for the children.”
The fundraising campaign was brought to life following a partnership between the Hospice and Havebury Housing, who have paid for the design and printing of the activity packs. The logo for the packs was designed by a student from St Benedict’s Upper School in Bury St Edmunds.
It is hoped that Find the Time could raise up to £30,000 for St Nicholas Hospice Care. Any schools interested in taking part which have not already signed up should contact Fundraising Manager Michelle Gray on 01284 747611.
Extra sponsor forms can be downloaded here in PDF format.
