Woodbridge School launches new charitable Christmas campaign – #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge – to support Home-Start in Suffolk and promote mental wellbeing
9th November 2020
In the run-up to Christmas, pupils and staff at Woodbridge School – from both the town’s Senior and Prep Schools – have set themselves a new #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge. The aim is to cover as many miles as possible over a two-week period, from today [9th November 2020] to 20th November 2020, to raise much-needed funds through sponsorship for local community charity, Home-Start in Suffolk, and to promote mental wellbeing at this very difficult time.
Every member of the Woodbridge School community, including pupils, teachers and staff across both sites, is being encouraged to set their own challenging distance goal, and will be asking their friends and family to sponsor them.
The #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge is the brainchild of Melissa Shanahan, History teacher and Deputy Head of Lower School at Woodbridge School, who explains her motivation behind the campaign:
“This year, more than ever, we have seen the importance of pulling together as a community, and helping those around us. I wanted to do something to bring our School community together as a team, working towards a shared goal, as we always do, and the #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge seemed a great way to be able to get fit – which we all know is important for mental wellbeing – and to raise much-needed funds.
“Home-Start will be working tirelessly over the next few weeks to ensure that no local family goes without food or presents this Christmas, and we are proud to be able to support them in their vital community efforts.”
Shona Norman, Head of Woodbridge School, said:
“Here, at Woodbridge School, we are proud to be continuing the legacy of our founder, Thomas Seckford, in supporting the local community. We have a long history of working with our neighbours to help to make a difference, and we look forward to really getting behind this #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Christmas Challenge to raise as much as we can for one of our most important local good causes, Home-Start in Suffolk, in a safe and COVID-secure way.
“As we enter a second lockdown period, it is especially important that we do all that we can to keep our minds and bodies healthy and active, so whether it is a sponsored run, walk or cycle, every little counts!”
Ali Watson, Fundraising & Marketing Manager at Home-Start in Suffolk, said:
“We have been really busy throughout the pandemic. The Coronavirus has had a huge impact on Suffolk families; and we have seen many families, who have never experienced difficulties in the past, struggle in a number of ways, particularly with financial hardship and isolation. We appreciate everything that Woodbridge School is doing on our behalf and we wish you all the very best with the #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge.”
Woodbridge School has been working with Home-Start in Suffolk for some years. It is the county’s largest family support charity, with the vision that every child in Suffolk is given the best start in life because of the love, support and guidance they receive from their parents, guardians or the people performing the role of their parents. https://www.homestartinsuffolk.org/families
To find out more about Woodbridge School’s #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge and to donate, go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-portal/fundraiserPage?pageId=1211384&newPage=true#
For further information on Woodbridge School, visit www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk
To learn more about Home-Start in Suffolk, go to https://www.homestartinsuffolk.org/
Photo caption: Pupils and staff at Woodbridge School are pulling together to raise much-needed funds for local community charity, Home-Start in Suffolk. The newly-launched #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge aims to cover as many sponsored miles as possible over a two-week period, from 9th to 20th November 2020. [Credit: WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL]
