7 Jul 2016 Community

Moorlands Primary students turn pennies into pounds

Entrepreneurial pupils from Moorlands Primary School raised an impressive £261.82 for Kirkwood Hospice in June – by starting up their own businesses.

Groups of Year 6 students at Moorlands Primary were given just £5 with which to turn their fundraising ideas into a reality this summer. The result saw a number of unique events – and lots of mouth-watering bake sales – taking place, raising £261.82 in the process.  

Pupils in Year 6 chose to fundraise for Kirkwood Hospice, which cares for people with life-limiting illnesses across Kirklees as well as supporting family members, friends and carers.

The shrewd students used their funds to buy ingredients or equipment to set up their events and then encouraged friends, families and community members to get involved – for a small donation!

Events included a penalty shootout challenge and paying to throw pie at a fellow pupil.

Some groups hand decorated plant pots, baked cupcakes, made smoothies and fruit kebabs before selling them on for a profit.

And after a successful fundraising initiative, they presented a cheque to Kirkwood Hospice’s Bev Hirst at a special assembly.

Bev said: “It’s brilliant to see so many young people working together to do something wonderful for Kirkwood.

“They have come up with some great fundraising ideas and have clearly worked very hard to raise such a lot of money.

“We would like to say a big thank you to all the pupils for their hard work and kindness.

“The money raised will help us to make a difference to the people we care for. It could pay for 50 healthy and nutritious meals for our patients.”

As part of Moorlands Primary’s commitment to raise funds for good causes throughout the school year, pupils have been taking on lots of projects.

As well as taking part in national campaigns such as Children in Need and Sport Relief, they raised nearly £800 to help people in Calderdale affected by the Boxing Day floods.

Danielle Augustine, Assistant Head at Moorlands Primary School, was delighted to be supporting Kirkwood Hospice.

She said: “The children have been very enthusiastic, working on their projects in their own time and coming up with lots of brilliant ideas.

“It was a pleasure to be able to support Kirkwood, a charity that cares for so many people in Kirklees."