Generous pupils spread festive cheer to hospice patients and homeless
Charitable pupils are looking out for vulnerable people in the community this festive season by fundraising to help put a seasonal smile on their faces.
The children held a charity jumble sale, which raised £920.97, a funky jumper day raising £422.53 and children fundraised an extra £2,472.79 that will be shared between Hackney Homeless Winter Shelter and St Joseph’s Hospice. The school choir also visited St Joseph’s Hospice to entertain patients and visitors with their singing.
In a special assembly, the children were visited by Sister Maria Coates and Nurse Carolyne Barber who spoke about the vital work carried out at St Joseph’s Hospice.
The activities form part of our Festive Winter Gift Programme, which sees pupils get involved in fundraising activities, appealing for donations to help provide gifts for people in need of support and giving their time volunteering during the festive season to demonstrate their contributions to the wider community through charitable actions.
Year 6 pupil Madeehah Balesaria said:
“Learning about the work of St Joseph’s Hospice helps us acknowledge that we need to appreciate our health and the things that we have. We want to make a difference to the patients and to the homeless people in the shelter and I hope the people get through this difficult time in their lives.”
Carolyne Barber, Head of Mission/Palliative Care Educator (Nursing) at St Joseph’s Hospice, said:
“Sister Maria and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to The Olive School, Hackney. We truly felt the school’s values from the moment we walked in. The pupils were delightful with their singing and their openness to our work. They asked such meaningful questions. We will remember our visit for a long time to come. Thanks for all that they are doing for us.”
Deputy Headteacher Sheerin Ramjan said:
“The visit from Sister Maria and Nurse Carolyne from St Joseph’s Hospice was so thought provoking and enabled our pupils to think about the important work the hospice does for members of our community.
“Our esteemed guests shared the historical origin of how the hospice was founded and how to this day they continue to work within their core values, ensuring all people who require their service are treated with the greatest respect and dignity and given the best end of life care possible. The pupils engaged well and asked lots of fantastic questions.”
St Joseph’s Hospice cares for and supports people, their families and carers affected by serious illness and life-limiting conditions to improve their quality of life and help them live life to the full, to the very end. Each year, it provides palliative care and support to more than 2,100 patients and supports 1,900 family members and carers. For further information on the work of St Joseph’s Hospice visit www.stjh.org.uk.
Hackney Winter Homeless Shelter, which first opened in 1996, offers professional and holistic support to help its guests rebuild their lives, alongside a hot meal and warm bed. To find out more about Hackney Homeless Winter Shelter visit www.hwns.org.uk.
PUPILS from The Olive School, Hackney were visited by Sister Maria Coates and nurse Carolyne Barber to speak about the car given at St Joseph’s Hospice
PUPILS from The Olive School, Hackney fundraised with a funky jumper day
Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 27th Dec 2018 | Posted In: Latest News