Charity News

Charity news from Sibford School - September 2021

Abseil in aid of Cruse Bereavement Care by Sarah Swainson, Exams Officer

On Saturday 4^th September, Sarah took part in an abseil down St Mary Magdalen Church in Central Oxford to raise funds for Cruse Bereavement Care. Sarah said 'Cruse are an absolutely fabulous charity who support anybody who has experienced grief at any time, or anyone who is supporting someone in grief. Cruse offer free information and advice, have a free helpline and also offer free one to one and group support.'

'Grief is something that will touch all of our lives at some point, and it can be hard to understand, whether you are the person bereaved, or whether you are supporting somebody who has been bereaved. From a personal perspective, I lost my husband very suddenly in February 2020, and all of a sudden my life changed in a way that I hadn’t ever imagined. I consider myself very blessed to work in a place where the pastoral care for both staff and students is absolutely exemplary. My Sibford family have supported me hugely in my grief journey, and for that I am very grateful. I am also grateful that my GP signposted me to Cruse. Cruse were able to offer me free weekly grief counselling sessions for as long as I needed them. The counsellors are specially trained in all thing's grief related and my wonderful counsellor has helped me to navigate this very challenging time. It is a journey that continues, but I am determined to find joy in my life and make the most of life’s opportunities!'

Five interesting facts about Cruse and the amazing work they do:

• Cruse was started in 1959 by Margaret Torrie after she became concerned for the plight of widows. . Margaret Torrie’s husband, Dr Alfred Torrie, was a psychiatrist and Quaker and served as chairman of Cruse.
• The word “Cruse” comes from a story in the Bible (1 Kings 17). During a famine a widow shared her last meal with a hungry stranger – the prophet Elijah. Because of her kindness, from then on her earthenware jar – or ‘cruse’ – of oil was always miraculously full. Despite the origins of the story, and an early emphasis on Christian consolation, Cruse is now a secular organisation and welcomes people of all faiths and none. 
• On 11 September 2001, terrorists fly two planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. 2,998 people die. Following the attacks, Cruse were asked by the Government to provide support (in collaboration with Family Liaison Officers from the Met Police) to those families from the UK who flew out to New York.
• In 2005, Cruse volunteers worked at Heathrow Airport for ten weeks following the Tsunami in Southeast Asia, supporting those returning home to the UK. In the summer, volunteers take shifts at the Family Assistance Centre following the London Bombings, providing vital help to those who have been bereaved or traumatised.
• A number of major incidents take place in the Summer of 2017, shattering many lives. Nearly 100 lives are lost in the Manchester Arena Bombing and the Grenfell Tower fire and Cruse helps individuals and families through the events and afterwards. A team of Cruse volunteers was based at the Family and Friends Assistance Centre for nine months following Grenfell.

So far this year, Sarah has raised £770 for Cruse Bereavement Care, £520 of which has been for the abseil. Sarah is eternally grateful to all of those people who have offered me support in any way, whether that be through encouragement or donation. Sarah's Just Giving page remains open at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-swainson3

Flickr album: Sarah's abseil | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Cupcake4Cancer

Niamh in Year 8 took on the Captain Tom 100 challenge on the first weekend of May and challenged herself to make 100 cupcakes to sell at Sibford Gower car boot sale. She raised £170 for Young lives v cancer. After this she didn’t want to stop so she continued to bake cupcakes for the children’s cancer charity and set herself the challenge to raise £1000 in a year. She has been selling cupcakes ever since and spent the summer holidays doing car boot sales and fulfilling and delivering orders. She built links with supermarkets, food suppliers and caterers to get donations of ingredients and everyone has been extremely generous. She’s also had some lovely phone calls from the charity telling her about all the amazing work they do with young people. 

Niamh has now raised  over £1000 in 4 months. Follow her progress on Instagram @cupcake4cancer and DM if you wish to order. 

Flickr album: Cupcake4cancer | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin