Students at an Essex secondary school have raised over £4,000 to help refurbish an orphanage in Greece.
Over the course of three years, students at Forest Hall School have been hosting fundraising activities such as non-uniform days, fashion shows, cake sales, sponsored sports events, car washing and school fayres to raise money for much-needed refurbishment at an orphanage in Corfu via Smile of the Child, a children’s welfare charity.
Since fundraising efforts began, 28 of the school’s students have visited the orphanage in two trips, which they fundraised for themselves, aiming to help those less fortunate than themselves, as well as having the opportunity to experience another culture.
“I feel honoured that Forest Hall is involved in such a worthwhile charity. The money that the school is raising will make a massive difference to the orphanage. They have a small toilet block for all 38 orphans – the money raised can help refurbish this and other areas of the orphanage,” explained Hannah Jones, co-head of the school.
During the autumn term, a group of five of the orphanage’s residents will visit the school, and sightsee London over the course of a five-day trip.
“Visiting the orphanage has opened up their eyes to poverty experienced by people in Europe. It has enabled our students to develop empathy for others while also getting to experience a different culture and country and make new friends,” added Stephen Hehir, the school’s executive principal.
The school will continue to fundraise for the orphanage in order to help with future refurbishments.
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