Whyteleafe charity effort raises funds and a smile

​Pupils from Whyteleafe School helped put a smile on the face of some poorly children the other week as they took part in a day of fundraising events for a local hospice.

The day, staged at St Luke’s church in association with the Whyteleafe PTA and Little Angels Playgroup, was to raise money for the Shooting Star Chase charity, which supports the area’s only children’s hospice – and one with a particularly personal connection to the school.

Whyteleafe parent Holly Poole is trying to raise £161,000 – one week of the hospice’s running costs – in memory of her daughter Elsie, and so far has made £75,000.

Not long after the church opened its doors in the morning, it had become a hive of activity with a busy trade in hot drinks, cakes, raffle tickets and other fundraising merchandise developing, as well as face painting for the younger visitors.

Once the first event had finished, there was just time to clear up before a second fundraiser back at Whyteleafe, an after-school sale – with more tea and cake for the parents – and by the time the day’s events had ended, Whyteleafe pupils and their families had helped raise a total of £941 for the charity.

“It was a very busy day but a wonderfully worthwhile one, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” said Whyteleafe’s head teacher John Williams. “There were hardly any cakes left at the end, which is always a sign that the day has gone well, and once all the money was totted up, we realised exactly how well. We’re thrilled we could make such a difference to such a worthy cause.”

Whyteleafe, a member of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, has a direct link to the Chase hospice through Holly Poole and Mr Williams said she was an inspiration to the whole school.

“The effort put in by Holly and her fundraising team is incredible, so as a school, we were delighted to have the opportunity to help out,” added Mr Williams.

“Being involved with charitable work is hugely educational, because not only does it teach children about the importance of caring and being involved in the community, but looking at someone like Holly, it teaches them about what a difference one person can make.”