THE Beacon Rise and Kingswood/Hanham community have once again demonstrated outstanding generosity and community spirit, raising an incredible £8,162.54 for seven charities through the school’s CareBR initiative over the past academic year.
From fun-filled fundraising events to meaningful acts of kindness, pupils, staff, and families have made a lasting difference both locally and nationally.
The year began with a ‘Where’s Wally?’ day for Bristol Afterstroke and a ‘Spotty Day’ for Children in Need, which together raised more than £3,000. Pupils also took part in the NSPCC Number Day, held a Comic Relief Joke Competition, and joined a sponsored walk for Mind, which alone raised £1,703 to support positive mental health.
Beyond fundraising, pupils put compassion into action — crafting 180 Christmas cards for local carers, donating 14 crates of food to the Ignite Food Bank, 75 Easter eggs to vulnerable children, and 25 crates of toys, clothes, and books for children in foster care. They also helped plant trees in Kingswood Park, supporting a greener, more sustainable community.
Headteacher Mr Thomas praised the children’s dedication, saying: “It’s been inspiring to see our pupils embrace charitable work with such enthusiasm. Their kindness continues to make a real difference in our community.”
A new year, a new cause: Supporting the Red Sky Foundation
The new academic year has already begun with another remarkable effort. On Friday October 3, pupils and staff dressed in red and held a lively bake sale to raise funds and awareness for the Red Sky Foundation, which supports babies, children, and adults with congenital heart disease. Thanks to the overwhelming support from families, stallholders, and bakers, the event raised an amazing £900.
Just days earlier, on September 27 and 28, parents and staff — including Mr Lee and Mr Speirs — completed a challenging Coast to Coast Bike Ride to support the same cause.
Their efforts will help fund vital medical equipment that keeps organs working during transplant transport — a truly life-saving mission.
Sam Sayers