Pocklington School has a long history of supporting charities through their fundraising efforts and this year sets out to be no different.

In the run up to Christmas students in Lower School packed and wrapped shoe boxes filled with gifts in aid of Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal, run by Samaritan’s Purse UK.

Towards the end of term the whole school took part in Christmas Jumper Day (or tie, socks, hat, or any Christmas themed accessory!) to raise money for SASH, a youth homeless charity working across York and the North East. The charity was selected by students on the School Charity Committee as they wished to directly support their local community.

The event was a huge success and together with a collection undertaken at the School carol service, the Committee was able to send SASH a cheque for £690.25.

Dr Helen Andrews, Chemistry Teacher and a new member to the charity team at Pocklington School said: “It was fantastic to see how enthusiastic the students were to share the Christmas spirit and ensure others had a gift waiting for them on Christmas Day. I am delighted to have become a member of the school’s charity team and I am enjoying working alongside Mrs Alexander and the Sixth Form Charity Committee, led by Chloe Asquith, Amy Johns and Florence Colbeck.”

With the new term underway, attention has now turned to the annual Charity Week, due to take place in March. The theme for this year is “All Things Magical” and during the week a range of exciting events organised by staff and students will take place.

Each School house has nominated an individual charity to support, as follows:

• Surfers Against Sewage (supported by Dolman House)
• York Special Care Baby Unity (supported by Gruggen House)
• RNIB (supported by Wilberforce House)
• International Cancer Research (supported by Hutton House)

Representatives from the chosen charities visited the School recently to talk to students about the work each organisations does, and how the money raised from their fundraising efforts will be used.   

Dr Andrews continued: “The philanthropic aims of Pocklington School’s founder John Dolman remain a strong and central part of our ethos. We hope that through our efforts this year we can not only match the money we raised in 2018 but set a new record total, and help make a real difference to the charities we have chosen.”