Charlotte Worthington, Team GB athlete and one of the first ever Olympic gold medal winners in BMX freestyle, alongside Pudsey has returned to her old school Chorlton High as part of this year’s BBC Children in Need’s annual schools fundraising campaign.
The visit marked the launch event for this year’s schools fundraising campaign to encourage schools across the country to get fundraising for BBC Children in Need and make a difference to disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
During the visit, Charlotte spent time with the young people at the school and was able to judge and participate in a selection of sponsored mini Olympic themed fundraising activities focusing on team work, resilience, optimism and motivation in which the pupils demonstrated their efforts to raise money for the charity. For those who participated it was an exciting chance to meet and ask questions to Charlotte as well as an opportunity to raise awareness for this year’s BBC Children in Need schools fundraising campaign.
BBC Children in Need is challenging schoolchildren across the UK to fundraise and help change young lives up and down the country. This year the charity is encouraging children from the early years foundation stage (EYFS), through to primary school and secondary school to join in with one big feel-good Children in Need Day on Friday 19th November.
Following the visit to Chorlton High School, Charlotte commented “To be able to return to my old school in my hometown with BBC Children in Need was fantastic. It was truly inspiring to see the excitement to get fundraising throughout the school – from the pupils to the teachers – it was brilliant to see everyone getting involved! I am hoping that when people see the fundraising efforts here it will inspire even more schools across the country to get involved in this year’s campaign.”
Damian Brownsell, current head of PE at Chorlton High as well as Charlotte Worthington’s former PE Teacher said : “It was lovely to have Charlotte back in school to share her story and journey with our students. To hear her chat with the young people about how through being herself helped her get where she is now was really empowering.”
Across Greater Manchester BBC Children in Need is currently funding 95 projects to the value of £5.2million.
Money raised through BBC Children in Need’s 2021 Appeal will help children and young people across the UK facing disadvantage. Sadly the coronavirus pandemic has left lasting effects and made life even harder for those who were already experiencing difficulties in their lives, but together, we can change lives.
There are lots of ways that nurseries, preschools and schools can get involved and fundraise for the charity this year. Schools can sign-up for a free supporter kits, full of fun-filled fundraising ideas, inspiration, tools, advice and educational resources via http://www.bbc.co.uk/Pudsey
