Pupils from Grosvenor Grammar School have raised an impressive £400 for Action Mental Health (AMH) to help support people in Northern Ireland living with mental ill-health.
The Form 5 students raised the funds by doing weekly collections in the school from September to January as part of Grosvenor’s community out-reach programme. So far, Grosvenor Grammar School pupils have collected in excess of £16,000 this academic year which has been donated to a wide variety of both local and national charities.
Lower sixth pupil and charity committee member, Luke Johnston said:
“In Grosvenor we really try to think about others and not just ourselves: it’s part of our caring ethos.
“We are very lucky to have access to a fantastically modern, vibrant school, but we are also mindful that there are others who aren’t as fortunate as us, so that’s why we try to support them in whatever way possible through our various fundraising efforts.”
Ms Lorraine Gray, Head of Media Studies and Charity Coordinator added:
“As a school, Grosvenor recognises the importance of maintaining positive mental well-being amongst its students just as much as their physical health. We strive to ensure all pupils are equipped with the right tools and knowledge needed to navigate safely through particularly stressful times, such as exam season when emotions are running high.
“We greatly admire and relate to the work AMH do by supporting the recovery of the 1 in 4 people experiencing mental ill-health in Northern Ireland through education, training and employment – which we too are extremely passionate about.
“It is for this reason that Form 5 pupils decided to raise funds for AMH so they can continue their vital work and act as a voice piece on behalf of those who have experienced or are experiencing mental ill-health.”
Action Mental Health operates in ten locations across Northern Ireland and supports more than 2,000 clients each year by delivering a variety of life-changing courses to the local community.
Programmes are specifically designed to assist individuals with mental ill-health in the recovery process by encouraging them to adopt a healthier lifestyle and widen their social networks. AMH also provide clients with the skills to build a better future, set personal goals, develop coping skills, re-engage with society and become more employable.
Callum Clark, Fundraising and Events Officer of AMH, said:
“We cannot thank the pupils and charity committee of Grosvenor Grammar School enough for donating their time and funds to Action Mental Health. The fact that they have collectively raised so much money in such a short space of time is incredibly impressive and is a shining example of how proactive and caring the school really is towards the wider community.
“I would like to wish all the students of Grosvenor Grammar School all the best of success in the year that lies ahead and am in no doubt that they will achieve great things.”
