London Celebration

Today saw the Trust Youth London Celebration in the fantastic venue of 11 Million in London Bridge, just south of the Thames. Our five London schools, pupils, teachers and supporters came together to celebrate their achievements so far in raising awareness and funds for the British Red Cross.

Each team were asked to give a five minute powerpoint presentation. The London Academy won the award for Best Presentation, with all the team joining in presenting their main ideas: a school dress-down day, charging for teachers for the use of the car park and a teacher sponging event (how did they ever get permission?!). The Crown Woods team won the award for the Most Creative Idea for their innovative project to provide refreshments after the school’s Oliver production. Both awards were voted for by all the pupils present, and presented by Robin Wells, British Red Cross Youth Development Coordinator who had kindly come in all the way from Norfolk.

Other teams also impressed. Salisbury School, in their second year doing Trust Youth, facilitated by their teacher Miss Maclay, are having a non-uniform day, a teacher car wash, a talent show (Salisbury’s Got Talent) and cake sales amongst other ideas, so they are very busy!
Ashburton Community School, chaired by their Chief Executive Officer Anton, have been running a number of events (including CSI nights, movie nights and a quiz), but the main fundraiser for the British Red Cross has been their recent sponsored rounders match. They impressed with a very slick presentation.

Quintin Kynaston, from Westminster, also had a great idea of running a tuck shop at their school based around healthy eating. Patrice, Reece, Toiseja, Sarah, Arian, Assal, Hamdi and the team told us about their project which has got off to a flying start, supported by their teacher Mr Akinsowon.

After the presentations we had a surgery where the teams helped solve each others’ challenges and hurdles faced. This was followed by a speech by the British Red Cross’s Robin, who thanked all the teams for their fantastic efforts.

With many thanks to all the pupils and teachers who attended, as well as to Rachel Booles from the British Red Cross and Ulrika Hogberg from UnLtd. And also to 11 Million, and Ali and Nicole who organised the brilliant venue for us!