Each September, our new sixth formers begin to plan their Charity Week Programme as part of their induction. Hours are spent discussing what type of events will raise money and who will be responsible for the planning, organisation and co-ordination.  From here a Charity Week committee is formed to plan and oversee the running of events. This process is always a fantastic opportunity to develop leadership, team work and organisational skills whilst encouraging students to act on opportunities to help and support others.

Apart from the very important fund-raising, Charity Week serves as great entertainment to the whole School and our wider community with spectacular shows such as the much-loved Teacher’s Strictly Come Dancing, Variety Shows and Whickham X-Factor. There are also fantastic performances from our teachers in the Lip Sync Battle and the bravest put themselves forward for the Bush Tucker Trial.

Whickham Sixth always prove to be dedicated, creative and innovative fundraisers and each year invent new ways to “involve” their teachers, with leg waxing and sponge the teacher firm favourites.

 

Charity Week 2024

This year, students voted to support the Solving Kids Cancer UK Charity – striving for better outcomes for children and families affected by childhood cancer. Solving Kids’ Cancer UK has a particular focus and expertise in the rare and complex cancer, neuroblastoma.

 

For Annabel

In particular the money raised this year will go directly toward lifesaving treatment for Whickham youngster Annabel Ashmore who is a happy, smiling 5-year-old who wants to be a nurse when she grows up. Her family just wants her to be able to grow up. In April 2023, aged 4, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma and given 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis. She has bravely completed 15 months of treatment with the NHS, but, for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, like Annabel, the survival rate is much lower than many other childhood cancers. Upon relapse, survival is greatly reduced. The FDA has approved DFMO in the US, a drug that aims to prevent relapse, and the approval process is underway in the UK but will not be possible soon enough for Annabel, as she must enrol on the DFMO study shortly after her last treatment ends. As her only option to access the drug is to travel back and forth to America, her mum and dad – Mike and Libby – need to raise £105,000 by October.

 

Previous Charity Week Charities

 

2019 Charity Week Film

Check out our Gallery to see all the charity week fun!