Barnes B Raises £1,197 for Local Children’s Charity

On 17 May, pupils from Barnes B boarding house at Christ’s Hospital visited Sussex charity Kangaroos and presented them with a cheque for £1,197. The Barnes B girls raised the money by decorating and selling cookies, something their boarding house does every year to fundraise for charity. The CH pupils visited the Kangaroos teenage special needs group, called Teenscene, at the Fairfield Recreation Ground, Burgess Hill, where the group gathers regularly to play pétanque (also known as boules).

Kangaroos is a registered charity which supports children and young adults with learning disabilities and additional needs by providing a range of fun, inclusive social and leisure activities.

‘Every year, the whole house raises money for charity’ said Ian Stannard, houseparent of Barnes B. We always pick a small local charity that will really benefit from our contribution. This year the pupils chose Kangaroos and we are delighted to have been able to visit them to hand over this gift of £1,197.’

‘Community support is vital in helping us to provide the wide range of clubs and activities for children and adults with learning disabilities and complex medical needs in and around Mid Sussex’ said Samantha Norgate, Business, Community and Events Fundraising Coordinator for Kangaroos.

‘The demand for our services is growing and parents and carers say that we are an absolute lifeline for them. We pride ourselves on being a very family-centred organisation. We are a lifelong charity – supporting children and their families through the difficult transition years into adulthood.

‘We are so grateful to Christ’s Hospital students for choosing Kangaroos as their charity to support, and the money raised from their fantastic fundraising events will help fund more teenage activities like this one.’

‘My brother is autistic, so I am well aware of the way in which people with hidden disabilities need support’ said Christ’s Hospital pupil Hope, who is in year 12. ‘We use charities like Kangaroos near our home, so to support one near school is important. Many children in our boarding house have similar situations, with close family or friends in need of support, so giving to others is at the heart of our ethos’.

For more info on Kangaroos, visit www.kangaroos.org.uk