Barrow Hills children launch Lenten Appeal 2019

A UK-based grassroots charity is set to benefit from Barrow Hills School’s annual fundraising event, the Lenten Appeal, which ran from 11th to 15th March 2019.

The entire school, from nursery through to Year 8, came together for the Appeal supporting the charity ‘Change 1’s Life’, which aims to assist people in Sub-Saharan Africa who are victims of poverty, natural disaster or catastrophe. The charity, which has children at the heart of its work, helps to supply food, clean water, clothes, medical aid and education and to date has distributed food and clothing to more than 550,000 beneficiaries.

For this year’s Lenten Appeal, the children collected clean, good quality used clothing to send to Africa to help with the charity’s various projects.

Years 7 and 8 were directly involved in the initiative led by Paul Crisell, Deputy Head, and Jackie Morris, Chair of Barrow Hills Community Committee (BHCC) with the rest of the school supporting them in other activities. Parents also volunteered to help pack the collected clothing which was presented by staff to Change 1’s Life in Bicester, Oxfordshire on March 15th.

The rest of the school lent their support with various activities, which took place throughout the month of March:

• Years 2–4 took part in a three-mile ‘awareness walk’ cross country from partner school King Edward’s Witley to Barrow Hills, with children enjoying hot chocolate and biscuits on their return!
• Years 5 and 6 hosted a fair at the school on Friday 15th March, with the children running the traditional stalls. The fair raised a tremendous £613! All the money raised will be donated to help fund Change 1’s Life costs of transporting the collected clothing.

The donated clothing is now on its way to Africa, and the charity’s founder and MD, Edmilson Angelo will visit the school on his return to tell the children about his journey and the recipients of the clothing.

Commenting on the Lenten Appeal, Deputy Head Paul Crisell said, ‘In line with Barrow Hills’ ethos, all our activities are geared towards encouraging our children to grow into thoughtful, responsible members of society. Having the capacity to demonstrate compassion towards others – in the school and in the wider world – and also demonstrating generosity of spirit in sharing their time and their gifts are all qualities stated in the Barrow Hills profile which resonate very strongly with our annual Lenten Appeal.

‘We chose this charity as they send clothes directly to people who need them. Our children have the opportunity to witness the gift they are giving and appreciate the impact this will have.’