On Sunday 5th March I came across a group of students who were selling cakes on Tubbenden Lane. It was an unexpected and pleasing sight for an ordinary Sunday afternoon. These Year 7 pupils from Bishop Justus C Of E school were doing fundraising to support comic relief. They had been set a challenge in which the whole year group was split into teams and each team was given £1 to use as investment/seed money and make as much profit from it as they could - all of which would go to charity.  

The children I  met – Archie, Sophie, Lily and Lauretta revealed that they had "boosted that £1 right up to £75 by doing a car wash and a bake sale". This type of fundraising is not only a great way to raise money for charity but also a great way to develop entrepreneurial and social skills. While some of the participants may directly use entrepreneurial skills later in life, those who don't can still benefit from learning to be proactive and charitable. Many people feel that the time spent on going out and engaging with our own communities has decreased over the past few years and community bonds have weakened over time. However, we can combat this as participating in fundraising activities like bake sales and car washes allow us to strengthen our community bonds and brighten up our society. These children are exemplary role models for showcasing the wonderful benefits of fundraising. 

So in the next few weeks, don't be surprised if you see a huddle of pre-teens fundraising for comic relief and of course, please encourage them!