Published on:
04
December 2012
Alva Academy held their annual Macmillan coffee morning at the end of September and along with other fundraising events raised an astonishing £24,718.34 for Macmillan Cancer Support 2012.
Last year, the school managed to raise a remarkable £12,374.67 which made Alva Academy the highest fundraising school in Britain for Macmillan Cancer Support.
This year, however, they surpassed all of their expectations and have raised double that amount.
A cheque for £24,718.34 was handed over this week to Claire Singlehurst, Director of Fundraising for the UK for Macmillan Cancer Support at the school's recent "St Andrews Day Celebration".
Claire was warm indeed in her praise for all the hard work and effort that went into the coffee morning and the various sponsored events.
She said, "You should be very proud of your school and what you have achieved".
Claire further wished that she could use the school as a role model to develop lots of "Alva Academies" throughout Britain.
Councillor Ellen Forson, Convener of Clackmannanshire Council's Education Committee, said: "This was a quite staggering amount for the school to raise and I can't express my admiration for their efforts highly enough. My heartfelt congratulations goes out to each and every one of the staff and pupils who have managed to raise this amazing amount of money for such a very worthwhile cause."
Pupils from the school were fundraising in a number of ways over a four week period culminating in a monumental coffee morning.
Sponsored events undertaken included A shark dive; two groups successfully climbed Ben Nevis; a Glasgow to Edinburgh cycle; an Abseil at Powmill; a crazy triathlon round Gartmorn Dam; an open water swim; an Ochil hill run; an overnight lock-in at Megazone; Alva to Dunfermline cycles and a West Highland way walk.
In total, over 1000 miles were covered by walkers, 3000 lengths of a 50m pool swam, 750 miles cycled and 101,450 feet climbed for this extremely worthwhile cause.
Alva Academy Head Teacher, Sharee MacKerron, said: "We would like to thank the whole community who annually support our coffee morning. In particular, we would like to thank Asda in Alloa for allowing us to bag pack, Sterling Warehouse and the local Cooperative Stores who let us collect in their branches this year. Thank you to their customers who donated so generously during our fundraising period."
In the run up to the day more than 300 pupils attended a bands night, there was a highly competitive staff versus pupils football match and a registration class competition to fill coffee jars with loose change.
The coffee morning itself saw every pupil in the school attending a fun-filled day in the hall where there were many games and activities.
There was a bouncy castle, bungee run, tombola, raffle, book stall, home-made jewellery, guess the teddy's birthday, hula-hoop challenge, tarot booth and more cakes than you can possibly imagine.
The coffee morning was hosted by the sixth year pupils who spent weeks fundraising as well as donning fancy dress for the day.
Mrs MacKerron added: "It really does mean so much and makes a considerable difference to the lives of those affected by cancer. This is truly a monumental effort and it is incredibly heart warming to be part of a school which pulls together for such a worthwhile cause."