Graffiti wall is first-class fund-raiser


January 10, 2005 11:38

Most children caught writing on school walls would be sent straight into detention but at one
Norwich school pupils were encouraged to scrawl away — all in the name of charity.

Students at Thorpe St Andrew School, on
Laundry Lane, decorated two of the school's walls to raise money for the victims of the Boxing Day tsunami.

The tragedy in
Asia has so far claimed the lives of over 150,000 people with Indonesia and Sri Lanka being the countries hardest hit.

440 British people are confirmed dead but there are fears that the final figure could be more than 2,000.

English teacher, Becky Privett, said: "We've called it Adopt a Brick Build the Future and it has been a real success. The sixth formers did an excellent job organising everything.

"Every student who donated money was allowed to choose a brick on which they could chalk their name or a short message.

"Some of the sixth formers also chalked onto the wall a tsunami appeal sign as well as the British flag and our school logo. It looks really good.

"Along with other collections throughout the day we've raised over £1700 for the tsunami crisis which is brilliant.

"The walls also provide a lasting reminder to students about the disaster as well as allow them to put their names to the support that they have given.

"I'd like to say thanks to everyone who was involved and well done to all the students."

Adopt a Brick Build the Future was part of the school's long term commitment to raising money for the Make Poverty History Campaign — a worldwide fundraising initiative to put a stop to global poverty in 2005.

Six of the school's staff organised the fundraising. They are PSE teacher Graham Fish, English teachers Becky Privett, Sarah Morrish and Jamie Corbman, assistant head of house Gordon Nicholls and learning support assistant Karen Turner.

Ms Privett said: "We hope to raise a lot of money for the Make Poverty History Campaign and are aiming to do one charity event a month for the rest of the academic year."