School Charities

The School Charities for 2024 are Homeless Oxfordshire, Helen & Douglas House and the Oxford Children’s Hospital Charity.

Helen and Douglas House is a warm, homely place for local children living with life-limiting and terminal conditions, and their families. Our donations will go towards their many projects including the ‘Play Team’, which gives the children the chance to socialise and create special memories with their loved ones. We hope that in addition to providing monetary support our staff and pupils can make a difference by volunteering at their events and community fundraisers. https://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/

Homeless Oxfordshire is a charity working to provide stability, safety and support to those who are homeless in the area. The charity provides a warm space at their hostel for anyone in need and offers a specialist range of support services to help to rebuild lives that have been shaped by trauma and disadvantage. Their ultimate aim is to support those they care for in their journey out of homelessness. https://homelessoxfordshire.uk/

Finally, the Oxford Children’s Hospital Charity funds specialist medical equipment for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, a hospital built around the needs of children and their families. Recent donations have funded patient monitor systems across all hospital areas in the Trust, microbiology equipment to quickly diagnose meningitis in just two hours (rather than two days), and new parents’ accommodation. Our contributions will help to provide support packs for relatives of the children, and outpatient signage artwork to help create a more calming environment. There are also opportunities for more hands-on work, such as becoming involved with the art portfolios for the hospital and having teams participating in their charity events. https://www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/pages/category/childrens-hospital

St Edward’s now chooses three School Charities annually and these are supported by pupils and staff with a variety of fundraising events throughout the year. The School Charities are chosen by pupils, parents and staff via anonymous vote. Each House delivers one major fundraising event in support of the School Charities each year, though they also support other charities throughout the year with ‘one-off’ appeals. In addition to House fundraising events, the School runs several larger appeals throughout the year such as the Steeplechase fundraiser and collections after concerts and performances. Pupils are involved through every stage of the School’s fundraising events and appeals.

In 2023 we raised over £50,000 for Oxfordshire Youth and we look forward to providing meaningful support to three other brilliant local charities this year.