Raising funds for local charity

Petersfield-based charity FitzRoy attended Bedales Prep, Dunhurst this week to receive a fundraising cheque for £5,599. Members of FitzRoy’s friendship and dating project Love4Life also spoke to the pupils in a special assembly about the impact of the charity on their lives.

After learning more about FitzRoy’s Love4Life - which provides life-changing opportunities for people with autism and learning disabilities to develop and sustain friendships and relationships – pupils presented members and ambassadors Grace and Ian, with the cheque.

A Bedales team of 65 runners – which included pupils, staff, alumni, parents and friends of the school – raised a total of £8,100 by taking part in the 2019 Great South Run, which was split between FitzRoy and the John Badley Foundation, which provides transformational opportunities for vulnerable young people to benefit from a Bedales education through fully funded bursaries. The school’s donation to FitzRoy was further boosted by a collection held in conjunction with Children in Need in November.

Dare Cross, Group 2 (Year 5) pupil at Dunhurst, said: “I’d never done anything like the Great South Run before – it was really special running with lots of people you don’t know. I feel so honoured to have helped raise money for FitzRoy.”

Marianne Radcliffe, Director of Marketing, Fundraising and IT at FitzRoy, commented: “We are so grateful to Bedales for their support and help in fundraising for our vital Love4Life service. Love4Life is a place for people with autism and learning disabilities to have fun, make friends and even find love. Our members have said since using Love4Life they feel happier and less isolated – this would not be possible without incredible fundraisers like Bedales, who keep the service going.”

Bedales Director of External Relations Rob Reynolds added: “Thank you to Grace and Ian for coming to Dunhurst to talk about the life-changing work of FitzRoy. We were all inspired to hear how the charity is making such a difference to the well-being of members, and how our fundraising efforts can really translate to initiatives which have such a positive impact on the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism. It is fitting that the John Badley Foundation, the other charity we supported in the Great South Run, is also helping to transform the lives of vulnerable children.”

As part of a growing partnership between FitzRoy and Bedales, students volunteer at FitzRoy’s “On Track” day service in Petersfield and their Rural Skills project in East Meon.

The Bedales Great South Run team is grateful to the Country House Company and the Pledgit online fundraising platform for their support of the runners.

Bedales Prep, Dunhurst | FitzRoy | Love4Life | Great South Run | Country House Company | Pledgit