Volunteering
Whilst
many adults and children around Greenwich were sleeping and dreaming of Santa
and presents, five Year 11 students alongside Year 12 - who returned from
college to experience Christmas volunteering for a second year – participated
as St Paul’s Academy to deliver presents to Ronald McDonald House in
Camberwell. All of which were dressed in various different Christmas attire! We even had a guest appearance
from Mr Winston and his wife Carmilita who were welcomed additions!
Arriving at 8am at Ronald McDonald House Camberwell.
However,
what made this trip so special this year was the extent of giving from
students, staff and friends and families. This meant that we were able to
deliver presents not just to Ronald McDonald House, the Lion Ward for sick
children with head injuries and the liver ward. Martin Shittu – who was a
patient of the Lion Ward for a lengthy period – was able to hand-deliver
presents to students in a similar position to what he was and give back to the
staff who were so kind to him. Donating to these children was the main reason
the students and staff were motivated to get out at bed at 5am.
The
many faces of Christmas at Ronald McDonald House – centre is the train map
donated by money from St Paul’s Academy last year.
Ronald McDonald House Camberwell is
run by independent charity Ronald McDonald House Charities and is one of 14
Houses which provide free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families who
have children being treated at specialist hospitals across the UK. In this case
it supports King’s College London which has treated two of our own previous
students.
Santa’s little helpers delivering gifts to King’s College London.
Year 11 and 12 students with Melissa RMC staff from the house (centre) at
King’s College.
The students helped
allocate 400 plus gifts to 24 different families and 26 children in
Ronald McDonald House, many of whom were seriously ill, or were the siblings of
these children that were away from home and unable to celebrate the festive
season in the usual way. In addition, the students were able to walk to King’s
College Hospital and hand-deliver presents to the Lion and Liver Wards unlike
last year. The Year 11 and 12 students helped allocate presents to each family
with individual gift bags or wrapped presents with personalised cards and these
were placed under the tree or placed into Santa sacks. The students also had
time to give gifts personally to siblings in the house and create snow for a
Winter Wonderland inside the dining area!
The Year 11 and Year 12 students with Mr Davis,
Mr and Mrs Winston.
Delivering to the Lion Ward.
Organising gifts in age groups- all hands on deck for the students.
From the front- Gareth (Year 11), Habeeb, Maroulla, Kiara, Melissa
(RMHC), Mr Davis, Miles, Klaudia (Year 11) Kwabena (Year 11), Lateef (Year 11)
Eric, Stephen (Year 11) and Martin.
Making snow in Ronald McDonald House for siblings of sick children.
These students are truly a fantastic testament to the
charitable work being completed by the school and are an asset to the school
community. An amazing day was had which truly reflects the Christmas spirit of
giving to others during the festive season and underpins the activities that
contribute to the £10,400 raised for the advent charities. These students really are fantastic
ambassadors of the commendable work that the school does to support local
communities and raise money for different charities. Well done to all
the students involved (Kwabena, Stephen, Gareth, Klaudia and Lateef) and the
Year 12 students returning from college (Martin, Miles, Eric, Kiara, Maroulla
and Habeeb).
Check out the rest of the pictures on the photo album on the
school TVs, St Paul’s website and the Geography Blog.
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