Pupils from Notting Hill & Ealing School senior and juniors have committed to a full day of volunteering which saw them visiting local care homes, parks and primary schools.
Between all the students they volunteered 3,500 hours in a day.
The young volunteers travelled to three local care homes including St David’s where they entertained and chatted to elderly residents.
The environment was also cared for with hundreds of pupils visiting 12 parks to pick up litter, weeding and planting to support the efforts of local organisations.
Matthew Shoults, headmaster said “We were delighted to celebrate 150 years as a school by the whole school volunteering in the community. It was inspiring to see our students and staff getting involved so enthusiastically to support local primary schools, care homes, charities, parks and nature reserves in so many different ways.”
Mr Shoults added: “Volunteering is such a powerful way to help others, and also to build well-being. We hope that this day will deepen further our connections in the Ealing Borough, and help us to make even more of a difference in our local community.”
Students also helped to wrap packs of essential items for DaysForGirls, Junior school girls decorated paper bags filled with useful gifts for children supported by Care4Calais and they prepatred babycare kits for families supported by the Salvation Army.
Chanelle McPherson-Bradshaw, community centre manager, The Salvation Army said: “Thank you! This is the first time we have hosted students of this age and both groups did such an amazing job. The morning group managed to sort all of our donations for the week and the afternoon group got us all prepared by packing up starter kits ready to go out to families next week. It was lovely to share about what we do and also see the students smiling and enjoying whilst volunteering.”
Sophie Johnson, teacher of PRE and charities co-ordinator who was behind the initiative said: “It was delightful to see the entire student and staff community participating in volunteering in the local area. Everyone returned with happy tales of the tasks and events they had been involved in and the various people they had met. We hope to maintain our current and new contacts and continue to support the charities and organisations who do so much for Ealing and beyond.”
