Felsted School have continued their mission to make a difference both locally and across the globe by supporting four key charities chosen by the pupils. Felstedians took part in a sponsored 3 mile walk, raising £6,200 for Teach Uganda, The Felsted Mission, CHESS Homeless in Chelmsford and Young Minds.
Vivian Beale, a Year 12 member of the Felsted Charity Team, commented: “The charity team were keen to do a sponsored walk for two main reasons. One was to have the opportunity to reflect on who we are fundraising for, walking in the footsteps of those who fight for access to education or shelter or those who struggle every day with their mental health. The other was to have as little negative impact as possible on the environment, aiming to leave behind nothing but footprints.”
Felsted’s student-led charity team chose the charities to support after ensuring that their help goes directly where it is most needed. In addition to fundraising, the charity team wants to make sure Felstedians have the opportunity to be actively involved with these four charities. At each checkpoint during the walk, QR codes were set up for pupils to visit the charity websites to learn more about those they were walking for.
Pupils regularly visit the Felsted Mission in the East End of London, helping in the night shelter and other community projects. There is also a trip next summer to Uganda where pupils will help out with further developments to Great Lakes High and Nyakabungo Primary School and will have the opportunity to meet the children they have sponsored through the Teach Uganda programme to finish their education.
With an established well-being programme at Felsted, including an onsite well-being centre, pupils are passionate about championing young people’s mental health and were keen to include Young Minds as one of the school’s new partner charities. They also wanted to choose a charity who did great work in the local community and they felt that CHESS Homeless was a fantastic example of this, with whom they hope to become actively involved in future projects.
Felsted School has always been mindful of its role in public service and has a long history of pupils and staff supporting charitable causes and our local and wider community. Have a read here to find out more.