CARING students at Princethorpe College have raised more than £100,000 over past decade to help feed starving children around the world.
The college recently donated £12,000 to become the top fund-raising school for Mary’s Meals, which provides food to schoolchildren in some of the world’s most impoverished areas.
The school achieved the £100,000 milestone following two walking challenges – a ’24 miles in seven hours’ challenge, and a 40-mile challenge.
Princethorpe began supporting Mary’s Meals in 2008 when it raised £7,000 to fund the construction of a kitchen at Lauderdale School in Malawi.
Since then the college has continued to support the charity, including taking part in Mary’s Meals’ Sponsor A School scheme for the last three years by funding a daily meal for all 599 pupils at Makalanga Primary School in Malawi.
Each year sixth formers organise fund-raising events such as break-time cake sales, the inter-house welly wanging competition, and the annual sponsored walks.
Entrepreneur Peter Higgins, Mary’s Meals’ International board director, visited the school to talk about the work of the charity and express his gratitude.
He said: “Princethorpe’s support has been incredible. They are our top fund-raising school, and we are extremely grateful for everything they have done to help us reach some of the hungriest children in the world.”
Assistant head of sixth form Rod Isaacs thanked students and staff for all their efforts.
He added: “That our fund-raising has now passed the £100,000 mark is incredible.
“Sponsoring a school has given a real focus to our fundraising. Feeding the 599 children at Makalanga School costs over £8,300. We are committed to raising that money every year – but in practice, we raise much more.
“Alongside the regular updates we receive, it is wonderful to know our school is making such a difference, it all helps to motivate our fundraising efforts.”
The college is planning an expedition to Malawi in July next year.
Working with the Classrooms for Malawi project, a group of 23 pupils and five staff will visit Lauderdale School – the very first school the college supported – to refurbish a classroom.
The students will also visit Makalanga School and the Mary’s Meals warehouse in Blantyre to see how funds are put to use.
Rod added: “It will be amazing to come full circle and go and visit the school where our support of Mary’s Meals all started and to visit our sponsored school, Makalanga Primary School, to see the difference our fundraising is making today.”
