Students raise £11,496 to help protect oceans

STUDENTS at Ripon Grammar School have raised an impressive £11,496 to help protect our oceans and improve our coastal environment.

Environmental campaigning pupils threw themselves into a series of fundraising events to raise the huge amount for the marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage, whose number one priority is tackling plastic pollution.

As well as organising sponsored beach litter pickings, the sixth form students leading the campaign reached out to local primary schools to share ideas on helping the environment in order to make a difference within their local community.

Most of the money was raised through popular events, including a teachers’ pantomime, inflatable Sumo wrestling and bungee runs, and a Strictly Come Dancing contest. There were also sponsored pyjama swims, film nights and cake stalls.

After students handed a cheque for £11,496 to SAS Campaigns representative Simon Palmer, his colleague Kate Eddy commented: "Thank you to everyone at Ripon Grammar School for choosing us as your charity and raising such an amazing amount. During these uncertain times, we will continue to innovate and enhance all of our community campaigns and projects. We look forward to delivering these with your involvement and support across 2020 and beyond and cannot wait to share our exciting new campaign plans coming up later this year! From all of us at SAS, thank you for your support; we cannot do it without you!"

SAS Campaigns is the first environmental charity students chose to raise money for during the school’s annual Charity Week. In keeping with the fundraising theme, students were encouraged to reduce waste and go plastic-free for the week.

Sebastian Lyons, a member of the school’s eco-committee, came up with the idea: “I believe we need a fundamental change in how we view the environment and SAS is at the forefront of this.”

*SAS, one of the UK’s leading marine conservation charities, recently secured a £5 billion investment from UK water companies to improve the quality of bathing water and organises beach cleans and educational programmes, along with petitions to governments and industry.