Bedales Prep and Pre-prep come together to support good causes

Posted: 3rd January 2023

Charity-minded pupils, staff and parents at Bedales Prep, Dunhurst and Pre-prep, Dunannie have raised nearly £7,000 for good causes this term.

The money, which will be split between several charities, has been raised through a series of events and initiatives, including the annual Helping Other People in Trouble (HOPiT) Fair at Dunhurst on 9 December. Pupils are involved in every stage of the fundraising process, from choosing charities and giving informed pitches to the rest of the school in a bid for support, to making wares to sell and running stalls at the HOPiT Fair itself. This year’s event raised £4,500 for local, national and international charities, including Sight for Wight, Cancer Research UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Malala Fund.

Other fundraising efforts at Dunhurst this term include a danceathon in the style of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco Danceathon, which raised £400 for BBC Children in Need; a cake sale, which raised £200 for Macmillan; and Movember, which saw Dunhurst staff grow a moustache and ‘move for Movember’, walking, running, cycling and swimming 671km in total to raise £1,295 to support awareness of men’s health issues, including mental health and suicide awareness. The movement challenge was also extended to Block 1 and 2 (Year 7 and 8) pupils, who collectively walked 106.km during ‘Walk and Talk’ sessions designed to emphasise the importance of talking and supporting friends.

At Dunannie, children have also been involved in fundraising initiatives, including a ‘spot-tacular’ non-uniform day, which raised £304 for BBC Children in Need and a Red Panda Day, which kick-started a year-long programme of support for the Red Panda Network as part of the school’s annual commitment to help protect an endangered species. Parents (Friends of Dunannie) also raised £297 for Winchester-based hospices Jacksplace and Naomi House by hosting a Halloween cake sale and winter clothes sale.

Pupils at both schools have also collected non-financial donations, including essential supplies for Petersfield Food Bank for Harvest Festival, and decorating and filling Christmas boxes for the Food Bank and Trosnant School, Havant. At Dunhurst, Block 1 (Year 7) pupil Polina also designed this year’s Christmas card for Peterfield Area Churches Together (PACT).

Head of Dunhurst Colin Baty said: “The community at Dunhurst has once again been fantastic in supporting charities this year. We are keen to raise awareness among Dunhurstians about people less fortunate, and ensure they understand that giving doesn’t only have to be about money, but your time and kindness too.”

Head of Dunannie Fiona Read commented: “Children, parents and staff have worked together to raise money for worthwhile charities. The children are learning an important lesson in the joy of giving and helping others, and we are delighted we have been able to support some great local charities.”

Categories: Bedales School News