Colston’s pupils double their fundraising target for The Rainbow Centre

A charity week by pupils in one House at Colston’s School has raised enough money to fund therapy for at least two children at The Rainbow Centre in Bristol.

A cheque for £1209 was presented to Angela Emms, Director of the Centre, when she visited Colston’s to say thank-you to members of King’s House.

The Rainbow Centre at Totterdown provides free therapy and counselling to children affected by life-threatening illness or bereavement.

Jonathan Gwilliam, Head of King’s, said: “This was the first time the House has run a charity week. The school as a whole undertakes a great deal of fundraising for well-known national charities, so the challenge I set was to choose a local charity, and one which benefits children.

“I think The Rainbow Centre was a wonderful choice, and the work it undertakes inspired King’s pupils in all year groups to work together for a common goal.”

There was a musical theme to the House project, with fundraising linked to the annual King’s concert and a spectacular busking event .

The campaign also included the sale of DVDs and computer games no longer in use at home - this alone contributed £204. Forty home-made knitted mobile phone socks in House colours raised more than £70.

Angela Emms said: “I understand that the original target was £600, so to have doubled it is magnificent.

“Each child supported by The Rainbow Centre receives between 16 and 24 sessions, and the amount raised by King’s House actually covers our work for more than two children.”

Mr Gwilliam added: “King’s House has really adopted the Rainbow Centre, and we plan to support its work on an ongoing basis now. It’s amazing to think that everything they do is dependent on voluntary contributions, and pupils are genuinely concerned to maintain their support now that the link with Colston’s, and King’s House in particular, has been so successfully established.”