8-year-old raises £7,410 for school playground
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8-year-old raises £7,410 for school playground
A primary school pupil in West London who raised £7,410 to fund new playground equipment for younger children has opened the climbing frame his fundraising made possible.
Eight-year-old James “JC” Connor, a pupil at Our Lady & St John’s Primary School in Brentford, raised the funds after hearing younger pupils say they hoped the school might one day have a better climbing frame.
JC first heard the idea while taking part in the school’s School Council, where pupils share suggestions about how to improve school life.
Rather than simply raising the issue with teachers, he decided he wanted to try to make it happen.
With encouragement from teachers and family, JC organised a school raffle, donated a Disney on Ice VIP box as the prize, and launched an online fundraising campaign. Friends, parents and members of the wider community all contributed to the effort.
Together the fundraising raised enough money to fund a brand-new climbing frame for younger pupils at the school.
The total funds raised came from three initiatives organised by JC:
• School raffle (Disney on Ice box): £1,570
• Online auction (32 Auctions): £168.86 net
• JustGiving fundraising page: £5,490.61 net
The climbing frame was officially opened on Monday 16 March, with JC invited to cut the ribbon as younger pupils used the equipment for the first time.
JC said:
“When I joined the School Council I heard younger children saying they wished they had a better climbing frame, so I wanted to try to help make it happen.”
Mrs Kelliher, Headteacher at Our Lady & St John’s Primary School, said JC’s initiative had been an inspiring example for the whole school community.
“JC’s fundraising is a wonderful example of how our pupils live out the values we teach in school. His kindness and determination show how even the youngest members of our community can make a real difference.”
JC’s parents, Stephen and Ha Smith, said they had been inspired by their son’s determination to help younger children at the school.
“What began as a simple idea raised in the School Council became something much bigger. We are incredibly proud of JC for wanting to help younger pupils and for showing that even a small idea can make a real difference when a community comes together.”
Several of JC’s classmates also contributed ideas for the design of the climbing frame, while a parent from the school community volunteered to assist with surfacing work during installation.
The school has also recognised JC’s efforts during assembly with its ‘Disciple of Hope’ certificate, celebrating pupils who demonstrate kindness, leadership and service to others.
The project has become an example of how a school community can come together to support younger pupils and turn an idea raised through the School Council into something lasting.
Notes to Editors
About James “JC” Connor
James “JC” Connor is an eight-year-old pupil at Our Lady & St John’s Primary School in Brentford, West London.
JC has become known within his school community for initiatives aimed at helping others. After hearing younger pupils say they hoped for improved playground equipment through the school’s School Council, he organised fundraising activities that raised £7,410 to fund a new climbing frame for the school.
Alongside this project, JC has also been involved in other community initiatives through the school. He previously represented the school at a community event attended by Queen Camilla, where he presented Her Majesty with a bouquet of flowers.
JC has also played a leading role in supporting a school project in partnership with The Hygiene Bank, writing to organisations including Boots and Unilever to encourage support for families experiencing hygiene poverty.
Teachers say JC’s enthusiasm for helping others has made him a positive example of how young people can take initiative and contribute to their community.
About the climbing frame project
The new climbing frame at Our Lady & St John’s Primary School was funded through fundraising initiatives organised by JC and supported by parents, friends and members of the wider school community.
Several of JC’s classmates — Wanda, Vinnie and Kian — contributed ideas for the design of the climbing frame.
A parent from the school community, Loris, assisted with surfacing work during installation through his company Miculi Construction Ltd, helping prepare the area for the new equipment.
Together the project became an example of how a school community can collaborate to support younger pupils and turn an idea raised through the School Council into something lasting.
About Our Lady & St John’s Primary School
Our Lady & St John’s Primary School is a Catholic primary school in Brentford, West London. The school is consistently ranked among the top-performing primary schools in the London Borough of Hounslow, placing within the top five out of more than 60 primary schools in the borough based on recent performance data.
Alongside academic achievement, the school encourages pupils to demonstrate leadership, service and community engagement through initiatives such as the School Council, charitable projects and wider community activities.
For more information visit:
https://www.ourladyandstjohns.org.uk
Press Contact
Stephen Smith
stephen.smith@jcfutures.co.uk
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