CHARITY WEEK 2025

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll have gathered that it’s Charity Week here at Leventhorpe.

Five school days of initiatives and entertainment in the name of fundraising – from sponsored walks to talent shows, murder mystery, bake sales and the opportunity to show off your threads on Friday for civvies day.

We interviewed Head Girl, Ella Pierce and Yohann Alcaraz, Head of the Environment Committee, to hear their views and get some inside information from 6th Formers!

• Hi, Ella and Yohann! Thank you for taking the time to talk to LevTimes. What have you had to do this year to organise this event?

Hi! No problem. We have weekly meetings where we delegate events or tasks to different teams.

• How long have you been planning for Charity Week?

We actually started at the beginning of October! But a lot of the events are tried and tested activities which have worked well in previous years, so some of it doesn’t take too much thought. But overall, a lot of planning goes in.

• Do you have a goal for how much you would like to raise?

We were planning to make £1000 from the 24-hour challenge alone, and I think we can be confident of reaching that goal!

• How do you decide who wins the talent show?

There is no official winner as such (other than the one with the loudest cheers). Instead, it is about Leventhorpe students enjoying themselves whilst showing their talents... without the pressure of having to win.

• If you could give £20,000 to a charity, what charity would you give it to and why?

We have chosen The Children’s Society because it affected almost every kid around our age and across all year groups in some sort of way. This charity was also picked because it doesn't just have one single focus, so it could help a lot more people. We also chose this charity because it was is currently funded by another event, so they could use our support. We picked this charity via a vote throughout the 6th form.

• How much money has been raised in previous years?

We can usually expect to raise between £7000 and £8000.

• How do teachers get picked for the team?

Teachers volunteer and rank the events they want to do from most to least. If a teacher has done an event, they will pick up the other volunteering.

• What does charity week mean to you?

Charity week is a fun week for the school to collaborate. It is also meant to give you a break from lessons and to do a good thing by helping a charity. It also differentiates Leventhorpe from other schools since not many schools have these fun activities.

• Why did you get rid of the eating challenge and replace it with the five senses?

We got rid of the eating challenge because, surprisingly, it was not particularly liked by the staff (other than Mr. Beardsworth) and was a pain to clean up… so it has been replaced.

A separate interview with our other head student Myla McNamara follows:

• What is your role in organising a Charity Week?

So, I am a fan of how we have delegated roles this year. I am the helper for Murder Mystery where I filmed after school and edited. I have also been a part of the talent show auditions and am helping to give both lunchtimes a show.

• If you were given £20,000 personally, which charity would you give it to and why?

Alzheimer’s society is because personally I have seen the effects of dementia in my family. My Nan had it and watching her get frustrated with it broke my heart to be honest. I think donating £20,000 to charity would help give people back their stories and support them.

• What is your favourite activity that will be taking place this week?

The Talent Show! 100%! Both shows! Every single year I cry watching both. I just think something is so special about having the courage to perform in front of the school. It was also so fun when my friends and I did it in year 11.

• When did the preparation for charity week begin?

I can’t say I have a specific date, but it has been going on for quite some time to make sure everything is perfect like it is every year.

LIST OF EVENTS

We always have a variety of fantastic events for everyone to enjoy. This year’s events are (In no order):

• Student Talent Show

• Teachers' Talent Show

• Masked Singer & Masked Dancer

• Manhunt

• The price is right

• Murder Mystery

• Taskmaster

• Staff Vs Students football

• Five senses

• Would I lie to you?

• Dodgeball

• Beat the goalie

• Bake Sale