Sunny spells at school charity fundraiser

School time was a colourful occasion when children in West Norfolk took part in an event to raise money for mental health.

Pupils of all ages at Clenchwarton Primary School donned yellow clothing on 10 October for Hello Yellow Day, the annual fundraising initiative for the charity Young Minds.

It was the third time that the school had supported the occasion, with staff also arriving for the day in cheerful shades of yellow.

“Staff, students and parents were excited to raise funds again for this meaningful charity, looking out for the mental health of young people up and down the UK,” said Ashleigh Webb, Year 6 Class Teacher and Mental Health Lead at Clenchwarton, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

There was a focus on mental health across the week at the school, with activities including a whole-school assembly and PHSE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) lessons dedicated to the subject.

“We hope to have raised £100 for the charity this year,” continued Miss Webb. “In total over previous years, we have raised nearly £500 for the charity.

“The children covered things like what Hello Yellow is as a charity, why mental health in young people is important, and what to do if they feel they need help with their own or are worried about someone they might know.”

“Events like this are crucial for our children, as it encourages them to be open about their mental health and realise that it is just as important as their physical health,” she added.

“We, as a school, want to raise empathic, kind and considerate children who are not afraid of the stigma surrounding mental health issues and can, instead, face these barriers head on with the right help.”

Elsewhere within the Trust, Smithdon High School in Hunstanton also celebrated Hello Yellow Day.