STUDENTS at Melksham Oak Community School have donated £4,554 to charity after a successful year of fundraising.
Four charities, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Meningitis Now, Cancer Research UK and Comic Relief, were nominated by the students to benefit from the money raised from various events organised throughout the last school year.
Assistant headteacher Mark Surowiec said, “We are very proud of the fundraising that has taken place within our school community over the past year. Pupils worked hard with staff to organise events such as a race night and a 12-hour sportathon, in addition to themed non-uniform days.”
To celebrate, representatives from two of the charities, Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Meningitis Now, visited the school to thank the students personally and accept cheques on behalf of their organisations.
At the presentation, fundraising volunteer for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Dennis Davies, met student Jemma Burchell, who was airlifted to hospital by the service in 2013.
He said, “We are most grateful for the £2,342, it is a phenomenal effort and we very much appreciate it, as we do all gifts from schools and communities as we desperately need it. It is stories like Jemma’s that demonstrates why this service is so important.”
Community fundraiser for Meningitis Now, Leah Wynn, who accepted a cheque for £822 said, “Thank you so much to Melksham Oak Community School for their fantastic fundraising efforts and raising a fantastic amount for Meningitis Now. It really will us to continue to support people who have been affected by meningitis.”
Assistant headteacher Mark Surowiec said, “It is events like these which demonstrate the strength of our community and how much can be achieved by our pupils for the good of these fantastic charities.”
