Each year, CLS pupils vote for the cause they most want to champion. This year, they chose A21, an organisation working to end human trafficking and modern slavery through rescuing victims, supporting survivors and preventing exploitation.
Led by the Charity Committee, pupils have spent the year fundraising in a variety of ways. From major whole-school challenges like the 24-hour Sponsored Row and the 11-mile Sponsored Walk, to brave individual initiatives, there has been no shortage of determination, creativity or sheer endurance.
Two Sixth Form pupils took on an incredible 400km swimming challenge over 80 days, while another group set themselves the challenge of walking across Wales – despite one sprained ankle, two days on the road, and plenty of what could fairly be described as blood, sweat and tears.
One pupil took on a 100km cycle, going one step further by personally matching every pound donated to his fundraiser. Meanwhile, our Music Department put its own spin on fundraising with a team HYROX challenge.
These headline challenges were joined by a huge number of pupil-led events throughout the year, including bake and pizza sales, concerts, walks and many more creative challenges. As Daara, Sixth Form pupil, reflected:
“When I look over this last year what struck me was the sheer number of the individual fundraising events that took place.”
Our wider community has also played a huge part. The Friends of CLS hosted an online auction featuring generous donations from parents, while the Spring Soirée and parent Quiz and Curry Night brought people together in support of the cause.
The year has not just been about the money raised, but about raising awareness of an issue that has resonated deeply with pupils. Through learning about A21’s work and taking action themselves, pupils have developed a greater understanding of human trafficking and modern slavery, while discovering the difference that collective action can make.
In this morning’s assembly, we welcomed Dorothy Mendez, UK Mobilisation Coordinator at A21 to receive the cheque and to speak to our pupils. She thanked the CLS community for its incredible support:
“This is only possible because of your generosity and your hard work, so thank you so much.”
We are incredibly proud of everyone who has contributed to this year’s fundraising from pupils taking on extraordinary personal challenges to those who baked, organised, donated, cheered others on or simply got involved.
