On the 21st October 2016 at Rosebery School two students successfully sold over one hundred cakes and countless numbers of flapjacks and biscuits to raise money for Anxiety UK.

Founded in 1970 by an agoraphobia sufferer, today the charity helps people affected by anxiety and anxiety-based depression across the country. According to the Mental Health Foundation, in 2013 there were 8.2 million cases of anxiety in the UK, and women are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety than men.

On being asked why they chose Anxiety UK, one of the students replied “Because I’ve seen the effects of anxiety on a friend, and I thought that Anxiety UK were doing great work helping people.”

At 10:50am they arranged homemade cakes, shop bought goodies and fizzy drinks ready for the sale, and waited with bated breath to see if their charity fundraiser would be the icing on the cake.

Their target for the charity event was £100, and after careful counting of the money raised, it was found that they have made over £120 for Anxiety UK. In a mere twenty minutes, most tins had only crumbs left over.

Anxiety is a prominent problem in today’s society, with young women being particularly at risk because of social pressures put upon them. It affects 1 in 5 people daily, and according to an Anxiety UK survey in 2010 55% of people said they did not feel comfortable telling others about their anxiety.

The other student involved with the sale said, “I’m really pleased that we can now donate this money to a great cause. It went very well. I was nervous at first, but it turned out OK! Thanks to all who brought in goodies to sell, and to all those who helped to contribute to the money raised.”

By Amy Pickard, Rosebery School.