Oldham students get creative as they raise vital funds for SPARK

Staff and students at Oldham Sixth Form College have been busy fundraising and collecting donations for the SPARK Oldham Christmas Fundraising Challenge over the last couple of months.

Year 13 students Cameron Gates and Ellie Collison have been working closely with SPARK Oldham for sometime now and were delighted to have more students getting involved.

OSFC staff held a bake sale with delicious homemade cakes and cookies, raising £160.50 and have generously donated toys, pyjamas and food.

For every £50 raised, SPARK will provide a Christmas Hamper Pack for a family in crisis.

The Student Union held a “Fuel Your Spark” Snack Shack event; selling cakes, sweet treats and fresh fruit.

The students were given £50 seed money to run the event and they went on to raise £170 to take the joint fundraising total to £330.50.

The Mayor of Oldham joined students for a presentation event with SPARK OLDHAM to mark the conclusion of the fundraising efforts for this year.

The students were presented with certificates to thank them for all of their hard work and commitment.

Year 13 student and SU member Alex really enjoyed getting involved with this initiative, saying: “Getting involved in raising money for SPARK Oldham has been a really rewarding experience for me.

"It’s so fantastic to see real efforts not only to provide support, but to understand people and their struggles and to shape help to exactly what they need.

"The sense of purpose at SPARK is truly infectious – everyone truly believes in the work they do.

"Anyone could take a leaf out of their book, and I definitely think more students should get involved going forward.” 

Cindy Bramhall, Employment Engagement Officer, coordinator for this fundraising effort, is really proud of all of the students who have been involved.

She said: “I am really pleased to have had the opportunity to work with staff and students at OSFC to support SPARK Oldham’s Christmas Campaign. 

"It was fun to organise the fundraising initiatives and it feels amazing to have raised the profile of SPARK and all the fantastic work they do.

"Together, we made a real difference for local families who need our support this Christmas!”

Kim Rogers, Founder at SPARK Oldham CIC, added: “A massive thank you to Oldham Sixth Form College for being able to support the Christmas appeal at Spark.

"It was great to see the staff and Student Union getting involved in this and using the £50 start up money to raise so much.

"This will directly support families that struggle with the cost of Christmas and take that burden away so no child goes without. 

"Children will receive toys, new PJS and underwear and the families will receive a food parcel.”

Cindy, Cameron and Ellie will be joining SPARK Oldham on Saturday, December 6 for the Family Volunteer Day to help to box up the Christmas hampers for families in need from all of the donations received.

If any other students would like to get involved in volunteering for SPARK, please email: info@sparkoldham.co.uk

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