Cheshire high school raises £2,500 at charity event

Dec 5 2008 by Gill Broad, Chester Chronicle

THE grand total of £2,553 was raised at a charity winter warmer event organised by year 13 business students at Bishop Heber High School in Malpas.

The event was held at Agden Hall, Malpas, by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Benjamin Legget.

All proceeds are for The Clwyd Special Riding Centre and Gail Legget was delighted to accept the cheque on behalf of the centre.

Students had visited the centre earlier in the year and were keen to support the charity as they saw at first-hand the benefits it brings to so many adults and children.

Also, the centre is run entirely on donations and fundraising, and this was a key factor which students took on board when deciding to support the charity.

The Charity Winter Warmer was a huge success and all 120 tickets sold very quickly.

Guests were welcomed with sparkling wine and canapés, and browsed 25 stalls selling a wide range of goods from food, drinks and chocolates, to home interior furnishings, children’s toys and women’s fashions.

Students were supported by their sponsors The Hampton Veterinary Group and Meadow Vale Foods, whose financial support directly helped the charity.

Belinda Diamond from Olio and Farina, Chester, advised students on the canapés and invited them to a practice preparation session at her shop in Chester.

Sally Jones of Thwaytes and Jones Interiors, gave advice on the many stall holders to contact and chartered accountant Jenny Humes offered financial advice to students throughout the planning and running of the event.

The group is grateful to the many individuals and businesses who donated raffle prizes for the grand draw which raised large profits.

The students planned and staged the event as part of their business course and said: “We enjoyed organising the Charity Winter Warmer and have received many positive comments from a wide range of guests and suppliers.

“It was an opportunity for us to work together as a team and develop many personal skills, as well as completing our Business Studies coursework.

“However, we feel the main benefit will be to The Clwyd Special Riding Centre, which is a very worthwhile cause and relies heavily on donations and the work of volunteers.”

Students involved included Jasper Alexander, Lerryn Frain, Jack Giddings, Tom Hale, Jenny Heard, Polly Hancock, Ben Hibbert, Dave Morrey, Natalie Norman, Elle Rozario, Jess Smith, Amie Walker, James Watmough and Rebecca Young.