North Walsham students step out to help about with friends

Cromer-based charity About With Friends has become the first to benefit from funds raised by North Walsham High School’s annual sponsored walk, held in July.  The event raised a total of £2266, and representatives of the charity visited the school to receive the first cheque to be given out from that pot, for £258.

The charity was chosen as a beneficiary by Cavell House, one of five houses at the school.  House captains George Fleming and Zoe Smith handed over the cheque to Steve Smith, manager at About With Friends, together with members James Aldridge and Stuart Phillips.

“Edith Cavell, after whom our house is named, was a nurse, so we felt that About With Friends was a good cause for the money to go to,” said George.  “Also, a former Cavell house student, George Pegg, is a member of About With Friends, and his younger brother James is in Cavell, and took part in the walk.”

About With Friends manager Steve Smith said, “We are very grateful that the students thought of us as a beneficiary.  We should applaud all the students who got up and made the effort to do the walk, to help a number of good causes.  We will be putting this money towards one of our youth projects”

All of years 7, 8, 9 and 10 at the school took part in the sponsored walk in July, which covered an 11 mile route from the school to Bacton.  The total raised was £2266, which will be distributed  to charities and good causes chosen by students in each house.

About With Friends is a Cromer-based charity which offers children, young people and adults with learning disabilities the chance to lead the lives they choose.  There are currently around 150 members accessing the charity’s different services, supported by a staff team of around 25, and a team of volunteers.