Whole-School fundraisers start with Pink Day in October when all boys and staff are encouraged to dress as pink as they dare, encouraging conversations about cancer, how we need to be aware of changes in our bodies, and raising funds for charities supporting those affected by cancer. The spring and summer terms see events supporting our partner charity Child Action Lanka, and a different charity each year selected by the Heads of School.
Boys engage with the Movember campaign, with inter-house rivalry for nominated ‘Mo’s Bros Reps’, and associated conversations about men’s mental health and wellbeing.
The Novi (Year 9) hold an annual ‘Sleepout’ fundraiser for local charity Porchlight, where they sleep rough in our quad car park, and engage with the causes and issues of homelessness.
Houses also run their own fundraising events for their chosen charities, such as Hill Side who ran an ‘Ironman challenge’ for CALM. Individual students also lead on initiatives, such as a Year 11 pupil who has run an annual sale of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, in support of Target Ovarian Cancer.
Further details on our charitable fundraising can be found in our Community and Partnerships Impact Report 2024.
Community and Partnerships Impact Report 2024
Supporting local families and Food Banks
We have long standing links with two local food banks Sustain and FEAST.
Tonbridge pupils volunteer weekly at the food banks, and are keen to do more to support. We run a House-based collection scheme for donations to support local families throughout the year.
Christmas Toy and Gift Appeal
For over 10 years, pupils, parents and staff have donated gifts at Christmas to local families who are referred through social services and local schools. This year we supported nearly 600 children with gifts of toys, books and clothing.
Christmas Fruit and Vegetable Market
Just before Christmas we also hold a Christmas market entirely run by staff volunteers. Hosting 140 families, we provide fresh fruit and vegetables and a meat voucher for the Christmas period, as well as activities for children and a chance to wrap a present for their parents and carers
Spotlight on Charity – Child Action Lanka
Child Action Lanka (CAL) works to transform the lives of disadvantaged children in Sri Lanka. They provide holistic education, health care and nutrition, and promote the rights of children. Tonbridge School has partnered with CAL since 2014, sending boys on regular trips and most recently in July 2024 a group of pupils and staff, including the Headmaster, travelled to Batticaloa on the east coast of Sri Lanka to learn from working with the children of CAL.
The trip included a Child Rights programme, a regional cricket tournament, and culminated in the formal opening of the CAL Batticaloa Child Development Centre. This facility was built in 2019 with funding from Tonbridge School and equipped with furniture and fittings that were shipped out to Sri Lanka. The Centre now supports over 650 children including a pre-school and a playgroup.
The trip was a powerful experience for all involved. The boys and staff were profoundly moved by the work of CAL and the time they spent with the children. In particular, they gained a unique perspective on the hopes the children have for their future, and the challenges that might prevent them from reaching their goals. Since returning to Tonbridge, the boys have set up a number of fundraising initiatives for CAL and are already planning a return trip, with many intending on volunteering with CAL as part of a gap year. We look forward to seeing this relationship grow and develop.
