Skip to content ↓

Caring Student Nominated for Pride of Fenland Award

A Sixth former who led staff and students in a whole school fundraising initiative to benefit a local care home has been put forward for a youth award.

A Sixth former who led staff and students in a whole school fundraising initiative to benefit a local care home has been put forward for a youth award.

Year 13 student Sam Johnson whipped staff and students up into a baking frenzy for a cake sale at the end of last term and organised a non-uniform day which raised almost £1000.

The total proceeds of £1277 (£986 from the non-uniform day and £291 for the cake sale), are going to the Glenfields Care Centre in Wisbech and will be used to renovate the garden.

Sam was spurred into fundraising action after his granddad became a resident at the care centre in September 2013.

He said: “My granddad, who has Alzheimer’s, spent last August in hospital and then went into the care home.

“The home puts on entertainment, which has really perked him up and so I wanted to say thank you for all they are doing for my granddad.

“He himself was a massive fundraiser, as he had a heart bypass a long time ago and then raised thousands for the British Heart Foundation. Raising money for the care home is my way of doing something for him as he has done so much for others.”

Last September Sam approached the care home to see how he could help and then was supported by the Principal Clare Claxton and teacher Sally Wilcher to organise the fundraisers. He put up posters all around the school to publicise the event and galvanised staff and students to put on their aprons and bake for the cake sale. His Nan Venita baked 170 cakes, the Principal donated her culinary efforts and a magnificent cake baked by Academy secretary Pam Horsley was raffled off.

He was also helped by a team of Sixth Form students who ran the non-uniform day.

Mrs Wilcher said: “The students did a fantastic job . They organised themselves really well and made sure that all money was collected.”

Manager of the Glenfields care home Jude Reeve said: “I never expected that so much money would be raised. We want to say a huge thank you to Sam and also to the Academy for their support.

“The funds will be used to create a market garden for residents.

She added: I think Sam is an amazing young man and he is really deserving of a youth award.”

Sam, who is currently applying to study law at university, has been nominated by staff members Mr Blades, Mr Musson and Miss Cliss for the Pride of Fenland Youth award which is being run for the eighth year by the Fenland Citizen and Fenland Council.

Other students may also be nominated before the deadline on February 5th.

To read more about the awards click here