A group of dedicated students from OneSchool Global's Kenley Campus in Caterham have achieved something remarkable, smashing their fundraising target to raise thousands of pounds for the Teenage Cancer Trust through a sponsored walk.
From Classroom Assignment to Community Impact
The initiative began as part of the students' preparation for their GCSE Citizenship exams. The assignment involved researching a charity and its impact, followed by the challenge of creating a campaign to raise both awareness and funds for their chosen cause.
The six Year 9 pupils decided to support the Teenage Cancer Trust, a UK charity dedicated to helping young people facing cancer. They organised a sponsored walk as their key fundraising activity, aiming to raise the profile of the charity within both the school and the wider community.
Smashing Targets and Raising Hope
The students' efforts yielded an incredible result. After walking 14.13 miles, they raised a total of £2,820. This astounding figure soared past their initial fundraising target of just £250 in only a few weeks. Five months later, the final amount represented more than ten times their original goal.
Daniel Pons, one of the students involved, explained their motivation: "We chose to raise funds because each member of the team has known someone that has lived with cancer. Even though those people weren't necessarily teenagers at the time, we are all teenagers now and know that we have every possibility of being diagnosed with the disease later in our lives."
A Legacy of Compassion and Future Plans
The success of the project has had a significant ripple effect. The funds raised will directly support the Teenage Cancer Trust in providing specialist nurses, support teams, and dedicated hospital units for young people undergoing cancer treatment.
Furthermore, the initiative has inspired further charitable activity at the campus. A group of Year 10 students is now planning a project to raise awareness for Guide Dogs for the Blind. OSG Kenley is also in discussions with the Teenage Cancer Trust for a potential campus-wide fundraising initiative in the future.
Craig Hunter, the teacher who set the assignment, expressed his pride: "This started with a small idea that we discussed to answer a big question in our assignment. The boys took that idea and grew it into something far beyond what we could ever have imagined. They worked together and independently, creating a project that aligned with our community values and the ethos of OSG."
Julia Bennett, from the Teenage Cancer Trust, added: "I'm truly inspired by these students - their compassion, energy and teamwork show the incredible power of young people coming together to make a difference for those facing cancer. Their support ensures that specialised Teenage Cancer Trust nurses, support teams and hospital units are there for young people throughout their treatment and beyond."
