MANGOTSFIELD School students have been helping charities which support people in their community.
Year 8 pupils took part in a programme organised by social action charity First Give between January and April as part of their personal, social, health and economic education lessons.
Class groups researched social issues in the area before deciding on an issue they wanted to take action on by supporting a charity.
They met representatives of their chosen charity and discussed ways they could raise awareness or funds, and how this would help the charity.
Groups competed for the chance to win a £1,000 First Give grant for their chosen charity at a presentation event during the project, with entries judged by Tina Potter and David Lewis from Kingswood Rotary Club and school head teacher Hetty Blackmore.
Mrs Blackmore said: “Students presented beautifully, outlining the important work their chosen charity undertakes, the impact the grant could have for them and described the social action that the mentor group did to primarily raise awareness of the charity.
“The presentations were engaging, hard-hitting and even involved a quiz and some dancing!”
Winners Ray Young, Jenson White, Ollie Hooper, Freya Harding, Evie Sheppard and Summer Richards of class C8.2 won the £1,000 grant for their nominated charity, Young Lives vs Cancer.
As well as explaining their reasons for supporting the charity they held a bake sale and ‘sponge the teacher’ fundraiser.
Other groups held activities including a penalty shoot-out, poster campaigns and more bake sales.
The judges also commended Fin McCann, Nathan Basanta, Lennon Pratt and Alfie Jordan from class C8.1 for their “entertaining and informative” presentation for Cancer Research UK, and Dubem Asime from class S8.2, who made a solo presentation supporting Cotswold Cats and Dogs Home, for his resilience and commitment.
Mrs Blackmore said: “It was an inspiring event showing the passion and dedication of young people to local causes in the community that they care about.
“The audience participation from the non-presenting members of Year 8 was electric and the whole experience was a true testament to our school value of community.
“We look forward to next year and supporting more of our local charities.”