Academy raises £1,010 for If U care Share Foundation
STAFFand students at King James I Academy in Bishop Auckland have raised over £1,000 for the
charity, If You Care Share, which was formed in 2011 by the O’Hare family.
This charity provides a range of services to support individuals and families affected by suicide,
from prevention and intervention to supporting those who are bereaved by suicide.
The school organised a non-uniform day to raise funds, but much to the amusement and delight
of students, staff decided to take the idea a step further and deliver lessons throughout the day
dressed as their favourite character from a book, either fact or fiction. Students enjoyed lessons with
Elizabeth Bennett in Maths, Hagrid in Science, Dobby, Harry Potter and Professor McGonagall in
English, Winnie the Pooh in Food & Nutrition and the Mad Hatter in the Library.
In Art, Mrs Aitkin made a very convincing Cruella Deville, and in History, Miss Whitaker was
transformed into Captain Hook. Miss Howard even spent the day teaching Drama and Performing
Arts in head-to-toe green face paint as Elphaba.
Fundraising is an important part of school life at King James because of the positive impact it has
on young people in terms of promoting a sense of belonging and encouraging them to get involved
in shaping their community and the wider world.
Pheobe Ackers, Fundraising Co-ordinator at King James said, “We have a full calendar of carefully
planned activities to raise money throughout the academic year. We support local charities like If U
Care Share, Angel Trust and our local food banks, but we also organise regular events to support
charities such as Macmillan, NSPCC, Children in Need and Comic Relief. Our staff and students are
always proud to support a worthy cause.”
