Our pupils were proud to present a cheque of £20,000 to local charity Holt Youth Project, although the grand total raised for Holt Youth Project last year was £24,278.11 after a few last-minute additions. Our pupils, involved in the school’s Charity Committee, have been working hard throughout the academic year to raise money through a variety of innovative activities and events. The Charity Committee are also excited to announce that Holt Youth Project are going to be a long-term charity partner, meaning we will continue to help support the young people involved in the charity.

Holt Youth Project aims to provide a safe environment for young people to meet and socialise with the minimum of supervision, building their social communication skills and promoting ownership. By partnering with the charity, we are helping to give the young people opportunities to experience positive activities, nurturing care, to grow in confidence, feel valued and loved. Julie Alford, Founder of the Holt Youth Project, said “We were humbled and thrilled to be chosen as Gresham’s Charity of the Year. This support will make such a difference to our work serving children and young people across North Norfolk, who sometimes find themselves in desperate situations through no fault of their own.”

Throughout the school year, the Charity Committee have set up activities including a Valentine’s Ball; sponsored walks; a FIFA tournament and an enormous clothes bank collection. They also organised a Teddy Bear zipwire for Gresham’s Pre-Prep children at St. Andrew’s church in Holt. The committee have also taken part in the Goldsmith’s Award, which recognises school-charity community partnerships, where they reached the Regional Finals.

The Charity Committee also puts on annual events which all helped to contribute to the charitable total, such as the Chapel Christmas Tree Festival; Gritty Grasshopper; Gresham’s Half Marathon and Christmas jumper day.