RECORD £22,500 FOR TEENAGE CANCER TRUST (24/06/2009)
The incredible sum of £22,500 has been raised by Wellington School’s 2008/09 charity appeal.
Every day in the UK, six teenagers or young adults between the ages of 13 and 24 find out they have cancer, resulting in 2000 cases being diagnosed every year. These young people suddenly find themselves faced with a possible life-threatening illness and Teenage Cancer Trust can really help them at this difficult time. The Trust\'s top priority is building teenage-friendly units in NHS hospitals all over the UK and that has become the focus of Wellington School’s fundraising since August 2008.
Head Boy Michael Foyle and Head Girl Abby Brown explained: “The reasoning behind the choice of charity is clear: cancer affects just about everyone in some way within the school and the age group that the Trust seeks to help makes it particularly appropriate for us.”
“Allister Boyd, who lived his life here in Ayrshire, was the public face of Teenage Cancer Trust, for which he raised hundreds of thousands of pounds. Allister was the motivation behind the choice of Wellington’s sixth year charity. He was a true inspiration and achieved more in his 20 years than many do in a lifetime.”
Wellington Head Mark Parlour commented: \"Every year, pupils of all ages in Wellington School take fundraising for charity very seriously and go to great lengths to make it a success. A new Wellington record, the sum of £22,000 has been raised by this year\'s charity appeal.”

“This year\'s charity is particularly poignant; there are very few families who are not touched by cancer in some way and the teenage focus of this cancer trust is especially relevant”.

Mr Robert Boyd, Allister’s father, added \"I think it was because Allister was of the same age that the pupils could really relate to this charity.\"

Louise from Teenage Cancer Trust said “This is a fantastic amount and is the biggest cheque we have ever received from a school so we are so grateful to Wellington School for all their hard work. This money will go directly to help our new unit at Yorkhill Childrens’ Hospital which is due to open later this year.”

Wellington pupils and staff were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Allister Boyd on 4th April 2009.

The whole of the Wellington School community has been involved in this charity effort that has been running throughout the year.
The Annual Wellington Christmas Fair raised over £4100 and the very successful Charity Concert organised by sixth-year pupils and held in Ayr Town Hall in February added a further £2000.
Nearly £3000 was raised through non-uniform days, £1600 through cake and candy sales, over £2000 from collections made at local churches and Wellington School shows and £1255 from the exhibition held at The Framework Gallery in Troon.
Sponsored events brought in almost £2000, and charity sports events another £700. Young Enterprise at Wellington donated the sum of £500 whilst £1225 came from other School events. Money was raised from the sale of Nativity Play DVDs and raffle tickets, and donations amounting to £1405 were also gratefully received to take the total to over £22,000 – and that figure is still rising.

The picture shows Wellington School Head Girl and Head Boy Abby Brown and Michael Foyle, with Mr Robert Boyd and Louise Stirton of Teenage Cancer Trust

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