The work of Lifeline, the College’s charity organisation, was recognised at a special Assembly recently. Some imaginative fund-raising activities have been organised throughout the past year and students have demonstrated an impressive commitment to, and involvement in, the local community and beyond.
In order to raise consciousness of ethical consumerism, the Year 12 Lifeline students organised a Fair Trade breakfast earlier this year. All of the produce was Fair Trade and a clothes swap was set up at the same time to encourage students to think about recycling. The money raised from this event meant that a cheque for £150 could be presented by Katy McComb to Wenford McDowell, a representative of “Charlene’s Project”. Charlene is a young girl from Dollingstown who, despite having cystic fibrosis, is determined to make a difference to the lives of others and has started a campaign to raise £70 000 to fund a school in Uganda.
Another Lifeliner, Laura Cloughley, presented a cheque for £350 to Andrew McCreery who represented the Cedar Foundation. This charity aims to empower people with disabilities by involving them in all aspects of community life. The donation for this inspirational charity represents part of the funds raised at the College’s annual Christmas Table Quiz. A further £350 from this event was presented by Zoe Clarke to Anne Kelly of the Southern Area Hospice.
Finally, just before the Easter holidays, students were able to enjoy a rock concert which was organised by Year 14 Lifeline. In addition to the music, the sight of staff and pupils taking part in an I’m a Celebrity type of challenge was worth the entrance charge and meant that £550 could be donated to Year 14 student Neale Watson who is going to take a gap year next year in order to work with WEC in Guinea Bissau.
The College’s charity organisation has raised an impressive amount of money for a range of local and international charities over many years and this year has been no exception. However, Lifeline is not just about fundraising as, this year, the students organised a successful Santa Trail for local primary schools in December and a concert for those with slightly more life experience at the annual senior citizens’ evening in the autumn term.