This year's Charities Week took on a very personal cause as we focused solely on raising money for PAPYRUS - Prevention of Young Suicide - a charity which supports young people with the mental health. Suicide is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 35, particularly in young men - including, very sadly, one of our own students recently. Charity week started with a poignant assembly in his memory, before kicking off with the most enthusiastic fund-raising events seen in a long time.

The Wolverhampton Walk to School was carried out in chilly but dry conditions and the students arrived in record time, leaving them plenty of time for a McDonalds breakfast, and raising a huge £5783. 

The other events that took place included a netball match between the Girls 1st team and the Boys 1st Rugby team, a very well-supported cake sale, wearing red or football shirts, and a cultural celebration event in the Sports Hall organised by the students with food, a fashion show and dance performances with stalls including activities such as henna painting. The cultural fancy dress saw also saw some novel ideas – one group of friends dressed as a full English breakfast!

Because the PAPYRUS charity was so close to the heart of the school, the final result was quite mind-blowing. By the launch of Monday’s assembly, we had raised over £6000. By Wednesday, we had beaten last year’s record-breaking total of £12,000. By the end of the week, we had raised an amazing £20,434.13! This should keep growing, a group of close friends will be cycling 100 miles over 2 days to Anfield, home of Liverpool Football Club at the end of May. You can sponsor them here

As a lasting memory of the day, students and staff attached positive messages to two boards which are currently on display in reception. The money raised for PAPYRUS will go towards providing HOPELINE247 which provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with dark thoughts whatever the time of day.