College’s charity fundraising tops £17,000

Staff and students at Solihull Sixth Form College have raised more than £17,000 in 2025, supporting a range of worthy charities.

Much of the fundraising done this year has been part of the college’s Team Gambia volunteer project, with more than £12,000 raised for the Abuko Nursery and Lower Basic School in West Africa.

However, the college community has also come together to support a range of other charities this year.

The college is part of the Summit Learning Trust and the multi-academy trust’s official charity this year has been Kids’ Village, which will provide respite holidays for children with critical illnesses.

Fundraising began in February, when a Valentine's Day event raised £281.75.

Later the Summer Fun Day saw a range of food vendors, a photobooth, a rodeo bull, a bungee run, as well as hook a duck and soak a teacher stalls, plus an exotic animal stand.

 Students bought tickets to take part and raised £652.71 for the charity.

In early 2025, students supported the Islamic Relief Emergency Appeal by selling samosas, bhajis, cakes, sweets, drinks over two days and they raised £1,306.

Meanwhile, the college's Community Iftar generated a further £600 for Islamic Relief, thanks to ticket sales from staff, students and families in our community.

Students got involved in several national fundraising events this year, starting with support for Comic Relief in March and including BBC Children in Need, MacMillan Coffee Morning and Wear It Pink later in the year.

The Children in Need fundraiser included staff and students cycling 103 miles (a distance that encircles Birmingham), while the Daffodil Appeal saw students completing sponsored walks for Marie Curie.

Some of the fundraising events were close to the hearts of the college community, such as the £250 raised for Shiffa Charity UK, done in honour of a student who sadly passed away.

Other events included Student Health Ambassadors selling fidget toys for Autism Anglia and a plant sale to mark Mental Health Awareness Week and raise money for the Oasis charity.

The LGBTQ+ Society sold mystery bags, handmade bracelets, cakes, sweets and stickers and raised £144.90 for Stonewall, while Guide Dogs UK came onto campus to mark National Sight Day and brought some of the dogs into the Studio at the same time.

Fundraising has culminated in the Autumn Term with a series of Christmas events. Christmas Jumper Day took place in support of Save the Children UK and more fundraising was done for Kids’ Village.

Tina Champion, student development manager, said: “It’s fantastic to see how much money has been raised by the College community this year.

“I know how much hard work has gone into the charity events that have taken place on campus and I’m grateful to staff in the Student Development Team, as well as Student Council and other learners who have given up their time to make these events a success.”

Pictured: One of the schools Solihull Sixth Form College has supported as part of its Gambia project