Students across all year groups at Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy have raised hundreds of pounds for a range of different causes.
As part of the academy’s Contribute ethos each year group was asked to nominate a charity or cause that they would like to support and come up with fund-raising ideas.
Students in Year 7 held a Tug-of-War competition to raise money for Keira Warhurst, a student who needs to raise £1,300 after qualifying for the gymnastics World Championships in America in June 2016.
Kiera, 12, of Ilkeston, will be representing her club, Mickleover Gymnastics, and needs to raise the money to cover the costs of flights and accommodation.
Year 8 students held a cake sale to raise money for Ilkeston Hospital and their Head of Year, Lesley Lowe, congratulated them on their efforts.
She said: “The quality of the cakes was fantastic. The students worked really hard and it’s great to see them taking an active role in raising money for their local community.”
Students in Year 9 chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which makes the dreams of seriously ill children come true.
They held a series of after-school and lunchtime staff versus student sports events charging 50p per student and £1 per staff member to take part.
Vicky Piliero, Head of Year 9, said: “The Year 9 students decided that, rather than running a one-off event they wanted to run a series of after-school and lunchtime staff versus student sports events.
“They were highly organised in getting staff involved and ensuring the money was collected efficiently.”
Year 10 students held a raffle to raise money for Ben’s Den, an Ilkeston charity set up in memory of former student Ben Parker who died in 2003 following a battle with leukaemia.
Ben’s Den was set up by Ben’s parents to support the families of children with leukaemia or cancer by gifting them a free holiday.
Year 10 students Curtis Widdowson, 15, and Matthew Blaken, 14, were instrumental in the fund-raising.
Curtis said: “We decided to support Ben’s Den because it’s a charity set up in memory of a former student so it’s quite close to home. We collected the prizes which included a gift voucher, chocolates and toiletries.”
Katie Hughes, Head of Year 10, congratulated everyone on their efforts.
She said: “I can say that Curtis and Matthew have been brilliant in organising things for charity and have done a lot of the work. I’m really proud of them.”