Students from Epsom College have been volunteering in The Sunnybank Trust offices for the past few years, giving a couple of hours a week to support the charity throughout termâtime. At the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, when faced with selecting the school’s charity of the year, previous student volunteers encouraged their peers to support The Sunnybank Trust following their experiences volunteering with the charity.
Throughout Epsom College’s Charity Week, students undertook a number of fundraising activities, utilising their creativity and organisational skills in the process. Events included a Sunnybank Colours mufti day, touch rugby match and a ‘Bake-Off’ style competition, where The Sunnybank’s CEO, Dorothy Watson was invited to be one of the judges.
"We were thrilled to have been chosen as Epsom College's charity for the year, as we believe that local partnerships such as these make a real difference,” says Dorothy Watson, The Sunnybank Trust CEO. “The input of those students who have been on work placements with us and those who have supported through their fundraising activities, such as the Bake Off, do make a real difference to those we support. It is only through collaborations such as this that we can highlight the challenges and loneliness that so many people with learning disabilities in our community face. Our heart felt thanks to Epsom College for their generosity and support."
The week of fundraising culminated in a fair, which was opened by The Sunnybank Trust Founder and President, Tom Rhind-Tutt (MBE). The Charity Fair was well supported by a mixture of students, staff and parents. Each of the 12 College Houses hosted a fundraising stall, including hair braiding, fresh pancakes, hot chocolate and table football, as well as interesting competitions such as how far can you roll a malteser down a line and still catch it in your mouth.
“Every year the houses at the College work together to raise funds for a number of good causes and we’re delighted to have been able to raise over £2,000 for the Sunnybank Trust,” says Helen Hynd, head of Epsom College’s school charity committee. “Here at Epsom we want our pupils to understand the value of providing service to the community and come to appreciate that they really can make a positive difference to society.”
The Sunnybank Trust is based in Epsom and helps people with learning disabilities live fuller lives and enable them to have more control over decisions that affect them.
The charity provides -
Website: www.sunnybanktrust.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunnybanktrust
Twitter: @SunnybankEpsom
JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/thesunnybanktrust
For more information contact Rachel Henderson (rachelhenderson@sunnybanktrust.org) or Dorothy Watson ( dorothywatson@sunnybanktrust.org ) on 01372749871.
