NSB Charity Week 2017
“To be properly charitable it is essential that the sense of responsibility and compassion, the spirit of charity, accompanies it and extends both to our own communities and others. It is about engendering the traits of simple kindness and thoughtfulness in our schools and communities towards those who are not so fortunate as ourselves in the world at large. It is about imbuing children both with the habit of giving and sharing and with a sense of responsibility about the world they live in.” The Telegraph 2016
Northampton School for Boys will stage its annual charity week commencing on Thursday 14th December until Wednesday 20th. The week is always a great success showing the continued commitment, energy and imagination of NSB students and staff. As well as being very enjoyable, the week highlights to the students various charities who are championing the plight of individuals in our communities, wider society and indeed our World.
“We make a living by what we get,
But we make a life by what we give.”
Winston Churchill
The charities have been chosen from suggestions given to us from the student body - many of these are close to our hearts - for the majority of these charities we have students or staff and their families and friends who have accessed the support given by these charities and some who are currently living with the difficulties that can arise from the issues which these charities support.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi
It is important that we not only enjoy charity week and that we raise as much money as possible but that we understand why it is important that we raise money and for everyone to know where our money is going. Knowing what these amazing charities do and the help they provide will hopefully spur us on to raise our total above the outstanding £7,300 that we achieved last year.
As usual each Form has produced an idea as to an event they can run on their House day and there are amazing things planned on every day with stalls, performances and competitions with all the students thoroughly immersed in charity events. As well as this each Form undertakes a sponsored event where they will often push themselves to their limits physically. This year, again, it is lovely to see that some Forms have chosen as their sponsored event – acts of kindness, which certainly embodies the idea of charity.
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism
or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Charity Week is a long established tradition having run for over 30 years, each year raising funds for a variety of international, national and local causes. All of these have been suggested by students and staff at NSB and have very close, personal links with many. The suggestion box for charity proposals is left in Student Services and the Student House Leadership Team decides which to support every year.
"As one person I cannot change the world,
But I can change the world of one person."
Paul Shane Spear
The charities that we are supporting this year are:
Local Charities
Eve - www.eveda.org.uk
Transforming lives affected by Domestic Violence. They work to give FREEDOM back to Women and Children who have suffered any form of domestic abuse or violence. They say the three things they do are:
- Protect - running a Family Refuge in Northamptonshire for over 15 years
- Prepare - helping women who are victims of domestic abuse to rebuild their lives and prepare them for the future
- Prevent - offering therapeutic group work sessions for women, children and families that help develop resilience and the confidence to change their lives
For more information: Please Click Here
LGBTQ – Lowdown thelowdown.info/issues/lgbtq/
The lowdown has set up OUT THERE LGBTQ support service which runs a number of events and campaigns in support of LGBTQ young people including a youth club for those ages 13-17 and a telephone helpline for LGBTQ young people aged 12-25. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning issues can be complex; having the confidence to explore who you are alongside the attitudes, belief and behaviour of those around you can be daunting – having a safe space to do so and someone to listen can make all the difference.
National Charities
YoungMinds - youngminds.org.uk
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of young people. Three children in every classroom have a mental health problem. YoungMinds is there to put them at the heart of tackling the problem. Driven by their experience they create change so that children and young people can cope with life’s adversities, find help when needed and succeed in life.
Papyrus – Young Suicide www.papyrus-uk.org
Papyrus is the national charity for the prevention of young suicide.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people - male and female - under 35 in the UK. In 2015, 1,659 young people took their own lives. That equates to over four per day. Every year many thousands more attempt or contemplate suicide, harm themselves or suffer alone, afraid to speak openly about how they are feeling.
They endeavour to save young lives and believe that with appropriate support and education, many young suicides can be prevented.
They deliver awareness and prevention training, provide confidential support and suicide intervention through HOPELineUK, campaign and influence national policy, and empower young people to lead suicide prevention activities in their own communities.
Help for Heroes - www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Help for Heroes supports those with injuries and illnesses attributable to their service in the British Armed Forces. No matter when someone served, they believe that those prepared to put their lives second, deserve a second chance at life. The courses and activities offered aim to empower these brave individuals to look beyond illness and injury, regain their purpose, reach their potential and have a positive impact on society.
CHIVA – children with HIV www.chiva.org.uk
CHIVA is a registered charity working across the UK and Ireland to improve care for HIV positive children and their families. CHIVA provides information, guidance and support for professionals, parents and young people living with HIV and runs an annual support camp for HIV positive young people.
CHIVA aims to:
- Enhance the health and social outcomes for children, young people and families living with HIV
- Reduce the isolation of children and young people living with HIV
- Ensure the voices of children, young people and families living with HIV are present in service and practice development
- Reduce the stigma faced by children, young people and families living with HIV
- Facilitate knowledge about HIV and thus empower young people with HIV to become more independent.
The Autistic Society - www.autism.org.uk
Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them.
Without understanding, autistic people and families are at risk of being isolated and developing mental health problems.
Autism is much more common than many people think. There are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK - that's more than 1 in 100. If you include their families, autism is a part of daily life for 2.8 million people.
Autism is a hidden disability - you can't always tell if someone is autistic.
While autism is incurable, the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference to people's lives.
Parkinsons - www.parkinsons.org.uk
Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. It can cause tremors and problems with the bladder, memory, bowel, sleep, eyes, skin, speech and swallowing as well as pain, dizziness, hallucinations and falls amongst other things.
Having Parkinson's can feel overwhelming if you don't have the right information and support. Parkinson’s UK are here to help everyone feel in control of life.
Cystic Fibrosis Trust - www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition affecting more than 10,400 people in the UK. You are born with CF and cannot catch it later in life, but 1 in 25 of us carry the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is working towards a brighter future for everyone with CF by funding cutting-edge research, driving up standards of care and supporting people with the condition and their loved ones every step of the way.
Clicsargant – children with cancer www.clicsargent.org.uk
When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Today, eleven more children and young people will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. From diagnosis, CLIC Sargent’s specialist care teams will step in, ready to help, support and guide. They will provide a specialist package of support tailored to each young cancer patient and family.
CLIC Sargent fights tirelessly for children and young people with cancer, often when they feel they can’t so that they can focus on the important things, like getting well. And if the worst happens, we will work with bereaved families to get them support, to help them cope with their emotional pain.
SOFT UK Support Organisation for Trisomy 13 and 18 - www.soft.org.uk
Trisomy is a chromosomal disorder characterised by an additional chromosome, so a baby has 47 instead of 46. Down's Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edwards' Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and Patau's Syndrome (Trisomy 13) are the most common forms of Trisomy. SOFT supports those families with 13 and 18.
This extra genetic material affects foetal development and occurs by chance at conception. We still do not know what causes the presence of an extra chromosome - it can happen to anyone.
About 1 in 200 births result in a baby with a chromosome defect.
Sadly, the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth is high but of the babies who do survive pregnancy, almost 1 in 10 live to celebrate their 1st birthday.
SOFT UK helps parents and families every step of the way.
Action for Children - www.actionforchildren.org.uk
They provide services for children and young people whose families need support, who can’t live with their birth families and who are the most in need. From before they are born until they are into their twenties, they help disadvantaged children across the UK.
They help through fostering or adoption and by intervening early to stop neglect and abuse. They make life better for children with disabilities and influence policy and advocate for change. 7,000 staff and volunteers operate over 600 services, improving the lives of 370,000 children, teenagers, parents and carers every year.
Alzheimer's Society - www.alzheimers.org.uk
The word dementia’s describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or a series of strokes. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. The Alzheimer’s Society raises money so that it can help support and care for those with dementia but also train people and undertake research.
International Charities
Unicef
Unicef makes a difference for children all over the world. They provide life-saving food, clean water, vaccines, disaster relief and protection from Violence. They are currently helping in and around Syria, with Europe’s child refugee crisis, East and Southern Africa, Yemen, in the UK and emergencies everywhere.
Events
Raffle Tickets on sale in 1911 Hall every day during Charity Week, before school, break and lunch. We always manage to have in offer a really fine selection of prizes but we do rely on the generosity of others so if you are reading this and feel you have something you can offer please contact me at the school – last year we had haircuts, massages, tickets to the Saints, tablet, electronic gadgets, tickets to the theatre… the better the prizes, the more tickets we will sell so please donate.
A tradition during Charity Week is MUFTI day. This will be held on Friday 15th December and each student should pay £1 to come to school in casual clothes. Please remember we still have to work during the day so no fancy dress, flip flops, onesies or other inappropriate attire! If in doubt - ask! PE Kit as normal. In addition, this year we have the Sixth Form and staff taking part in a Christmas jumper day on the 20th and again £1 is paid for this privilege.
Another highlight of the week is the XX Factor competition alongside so many exciting daily events plus sponsored events
Thursday 14th Dec: Brightwell
Friday 15th Dec: Chipsey, XX Factor (lunch), Mufti Day
Monday 18th Dec: Manley, XX Factor (lunch)
Tuesday 19th Dec: Washington, XX Factor (lunch)
Wednesday 20th Dec: Sixth Form Day, Christmas Jumper Day, XX Factor Final (lunch) and Raffle Ticket draw (Lesson 3)
All other events will be published on the VLE and will be displayed on the community board, in the atrium in the concourse and the atrium in the Cripps building.
We would like to thank anyone that has helped in organising charity week so far and ask that all students enter into the spirit of the week as we try to raise much needed funds for some worthy causes.