Ouseburn Learning Trust give Children’s Hospital a fundraising boost
A Trust of Schools in the East of Newcastle has given the children’s hospital in the city a fundraising boost with a significant four figure donation. The Ouseburn Learning Trust (OLT) is a charitable company of eight schools and six partner organisations formed in October 2014. The OLT nominated the Great North Children’s Hospital (GNCH) as the focus for charitable fundraising for the 2015/16 Academic year and pupils handed over a giant cheque for £5,426 at the Hospital in November.
Shirley Mills, Chair of the OLT said ‘I am absolutely thrilled by the response of pupils, staff and families from our schools to the challenge of raising funds for the GNCH. The GNCH play such an important part in the lives of children here in our city and the wider North East region, we couldn’t think of a better local cause to support through our co-ordinated fundraising efforts. As a Trust, we work stronger together in enhancing the quality of education and care that children receive in our eight schools. It is working in this collaborative way which has enabled us to raise significant funds that are going to make a real difference to children receiving treatment at the GNCH. I’m immensely proud of the efforts of all our schools.
Fundraising for the GNCH began at the OLT’s annual City Hall Music Concert in March 2015, where a substantial donation was made by families in attendance. In September 2015, a number of staff collected sponsorship by participating in the Great North Run including Ms Bentley of Benton Park Primary, Mr Thompson of Chillingham Road Primary, Mr Chapman of Cragside Primary, Mr Luke of Hotspur Primary School, Mrs Clougher, Miss Griggs and Mrs Waller of Ravenswood Primary as well as Mr Martin, Mr Rimmer and Mr McVittie of West Jesmond Primary School. Special mention must go to Mr Gregory of Heaton Manor Secondary and Mr Jones of West Jesmond Primary who had to pull out of the 2015 Great North Run due to injury but hope to be back in 2016. Hotspur and Ravenswood Primary Schools also added to the fundraising total with their own successful whole school running events alongside seventy children from Ravenswood Primary running in the mini or junior Great North Run.
Dr Iain Johnstone, Clinical Director of the GNCH, said ‘We are proud that the Newcastle Hospitals Trust is a proactive trustee of the OLT and are delighted GNCH has been able to be a beneficiary in what is clearly such a strong working partnership. Huge thanks must go to the whole learning community at OLT for what is such an impressive collective fundraising effort, their donation will make a real difference to patients here at the GNCH. We look forward to updating pupils, staff and their families on how their donations have been utilised here at GNCH and conveying our thanks at the 2016 OLT City Hall Music Concert’.