Charity Cheques: LP’s Helping Hands

During December two of Leighton Park’s four Houses, Cadbury and Bentsi-Enchill, were proud and pleased to be handing over two cheques to two great charities that they have supported over the last academic year. In support of Launchpad, Cadbury House has raised £484.26 and in support of The Cowshed, Bensti-Enchill House has raised £534, both through events including charity bake sales and refreshment stands at the summer Sports Day.

Launchpad is Reading’s leading homelessness prevention charity, providing vital information and support for individuals, couples and families who don’t have a stable place to live or are at risk of losing their home. They aim to break the cycle of homelessness by providing temporary homes with bespoke support for more than 100 people in Reading, as well as ten long-term homes in the town for people in housing need. The money for Launchpad was raised through the dedication of our students and staff in Bentsi-Enchill through a bake sale and refreshment stands at the 2023 Sports Day. A volunteer from Launchpad, Fiona collected the cheque on Tuesday 12th December and expressed the importance of young people involving themselves in fundraising saying: “A huge thank, it’s always appreciated but when you particularly have young people getting involved, it’s really valuable as it allows them to take it forward with them through their growing up and life. This donation will go towards rent costs and utility costs of the houses we provide as well as caretakers and staff to check on people’s wellbeing while living in these homes as we are helping with some of the most vulnerable people”.

The Cowshed is a compassionate and community-driven charity dedicated to providing support to individuals of all backgrounds during times of personal crisis. Their mission is simple yet impactful: to offer good quality, cleaned, and ironed clothes and other essential items free of charge to those in need. Their support extends to individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds facing various difficult situations, offering support with clothing, shoes, bedding, curtains, school uniforms, baby equipment, and other essentials. Volunteer for Cowshed, Rebecca Mole expressed her gratitude to our community: “I would like to say a massive thank you to the students and to the parents of Cadbury House for supporting our charity, we are very much reliant on the kindness of the community so we are very grateful for all of your help. This donation will really make a difference to our charity and it is so important that schools like Leighton Park fundraise. To have a partnership with students who are aware of the struggles people are facing and are wanting to take action to try and help is wonderful”.

The collective efforts of the students and staff in all our Houses underscores the commitment of Leighton Park to instil empathy and action into pupils. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the wider community, teaching our students to show compassion and support for those in need. Every member of the LP community belongs to one of the four Houses, both staff and students, in order to bring everyone together for charitable, community and competitive purposes.