Charity
Every year Parkside boys (and girls in Nursery) throw themselves, wholeheartedly, into events and fundraisers to support local and national charities.
The School Council take part in selecting the charity and we make sure that more than one charity is supported each year. Recent charities have been Little Roo, Grace Dear, Rainbow Trust, Hope Gardens, NSPCC and the Wildlife Trust.
Through assemblies, the boys learn about the chosen charity for that year, so that they understand who/what will benefit from their fundraising. Fundraising events include Mufti Days, environmental awareness days, sponsored walks, cake sales, bake offs and helping at home tasks to raise money. The highlight of the School charity year is the Summer term charity morning, which is run by the boys, for the boys, involving staff and everyone from Reception to Year 8.
Parkside have been fundraising and collecting for Cobham Food Bank. The Mufti Day raised £471 and hugely generous contributions of food:
"I thought that it was a great and original idea to organise a mufti day!! Congratulations! On behalf of the Cobham Area Foodbank let me express my gratitude for your great work and commitment to the good cause. Once I know the weight we have booked in, I will report that to you. Also the sum of money, a fantastic sum of £471.25, that you collected will be put to the use of the Foodbank supporting so many people in need in our community. Please pass on our thanks to all involved: pupils, parents and staff. THANK YOU!!"
Christina - Manager of Cobham Food Bank
Also, on an individual and community level, the boys are encouraged to get involved in fundraising projects and charitable efforts close to their hearts. Here are some examples:
The Marsden March
James H saw a poster for the Marsden Marathon. He, along with Matt H, Fraser H and James C (all Year 3) decided to try and run a marathon by running a mile every day during September to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The boys loved their after school jogs around local parks, roads and Parkside’s sports fields with their parents trying to keep up! They ran the final mile over Albert Bridge and finished at the Marsden site on Fulham Road, London. They have had so much support and together in total they have raised just over £1500 for the Marsden Cancer Charity.
Mesothelioma UK
Sam D accomplished an amazing 'virtual' swimming challenge, in memory of his dear ‘Silly Grampy’ - Derek Marchant.
Having developed his open swimming techniques during lockdown (while the pools were closed), he successfully swam the distance of the English Channel: 21 miles in 17 days!
In doing so, Sam has raised £1,785 and £330.50 in Gift Aid for Mesothelioma UK
We are all so proud of you Sam!
British Red Cross
Congratulations to the Groombridge family, who cycled and ran over 700 miles in aid of the British Red Cross’ Miles for Refugees campaign. Mr Groombridge cycled 555 miles, Mrs Groombridge ran 72 miles and Oscar, Lucas and Casper ran 22 miles.
They raised over £1,700!
