Christmas Charity Collections

We were delighted to see so many gorgeous gifts adorning the collection tables in Old School reception as the start of December drew near. Students, families and staff generously donated toys, games and even some dressing up to the Toys and Teens appeal by Reading Family Aid. The appeal has been an annual event at Leighton Park for the last five years and even in lockdown we were able to remotely donate funds online to help the purchase of presents to support families in need at Christmas. On Tuesday 6th December the haul was collected by the charity ready to prepare for invited parents to visit the Reading distribution centre and select their family’s gifts later in the month. The non-uniform day celebrated by Leighton Park students on Friday 2nd December raised a further £630 which will be split between Reading Family Aid and Save the Children.

Save the Children also benefitted from the School’s participation in National Christmas Jumper Day with £471.60 as those in Christmassy knitwear spread festive joy with their jolly clothing. Raising almost £300 the jumpers were a popular option and the perfect sartorial accompaniment to the House Charity Bake Sale taking place on Thursday 8th December. Students made cakes and cookies (or bought and brought them in!) to sell to their peers and to staff to generate as much as possible for their House’s charity partners at Christmas. The four House charities each selected a charity partner during the Autumn term and the bake sale is the first major fundraising event that has taken place simultaneously. Bentsi-Enchill raised £191.40 for The Cowshed, Cadbury were supporting Launchpad Reading with £166.13, Fox collected £203.55 for Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice and Tubman focussed their efforts on Homestart generating £173.25. The members of each House were able to visit their bake stall during morning break to top up on sugar and sweet treats between lessons and make a contribution to their good cause.

Fox House Sixth Former, Sophie, commented, “I think House fundraising is important because we got to choose and vote for a House charity that we want to support. Collectively as a House we chose the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice and I think the fact that we could choose adds a bit more emphasis and passion that we are about charities here at Leighton Park.” “We’re also helping kids who really need us and need the fundraising, and I think that’s just rewarding in itself” added Seren (Upper Sixth) “Everyone gets sweet things whilst helping other people. It’s a win-win!”