CHARITY
A Gordon's education strives to be one where students not only work hard for themselves but for others. Students are encouraged to contribute to others inside and outside the school, whether in leadership roles, volunteering or service. This culminates in the Sixth Form with all students expected to be active members of the school community and to give back.
Students and staff regularly contribute to charities in the UK and overseas.
Gordon's has one long term school charity and three further charities chosen annually by students and staff. The long term school charity is the Camelthorn Foundation which has provided a girls' boarding house (to be known as Gordon's House) at the Ngamo School, Zimbabwe (please see below for further information). In addition, CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) and Angus' Army, raising funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, will benefit from charitable giving this year.
Pictured above are the Charity Prefects H Ashcroft, N Mann, R Rowe, TC Chan, W Bowe, S Mardani and T Olowoniyi, who will be helping to raise awareness and money for these charities in the coming year.
CRY
(Cardiac Risk in the Young)
Papyrus
Prevention of Young Suicide
Angus' Army
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
long term Charity - The Camelthorn Foundation
Thanks to fundraising efforts by Gordon's students, led by the Charity Prefects, Gordon House, a girls' boarding house at the Ngamo School in Zimbabwe is now up and running! The three year initiative to raise £15,000 was launched at Gordon's in January 2022, linking the school to the Camelthorn Foundation, a UK based charity supporting global and community projects.
In the past, girls from the school, based near the world-famous Hwange National Park, would have to sleep on the floor in their teachers' accommodation as they lived more than 20 kilometres away. Now they have their own dedicated space (pictured below) with bunk beds!
How the school fundraises:
Coronation Colour Run
Bike ride to Bristol
Students Oliver Roberts and Conan Lam cycled 120 miles from Gordon's to Bristol City Centre, raising over £1,000 for the Camelthorn Foundation for the Gordon's girls' boarding house in Zimbabwe.
The Year 10 students set off from school in June, travelling along towpaths and disused railways, stopping only for drinks and something to eat. Bath to Bristol proved the most challenging but the boys particularly enjoying the views and smooth road surfaces of the section from Kintbury to Devizes. Afterwards, Ollie said: "I don't think we would do the ride again any time soon, but maybe in the long future".
mad (make a difference) day
MAD (Make a Difference) Day in July saw 430 students volunteering for 1,611 hours in the community, from organising sports events for local primary schools and activities in care homes to litter-picking and clearing graveyards.
This annual event really does make a difference! Here’s what the White Lodge Centre said:
Your hard work in our Pathways courtyard has really paid off, the weeds are no more, the umbrella is now safe, and our members and staff now have a glorious setting to enjoy outdoor sessions and recreational time. A big thanks you from all at White Lodge, you really have made a difference!