Bedales students step up to support Fitzroy charity

Over the last two years, Bedales School has developed a strong relationship with the FitzRoy charity which supports people with autism and learning difficulties. 

Students have volunteered at the charity’s ‘On Track’ day centre in Petersfield, helping with craft and cooking activities. The charity also runs a rural skills programme based at the Sustainability Centre in East Meon, where Bedales students have volunteered weekly, supporting outdoor projects, working alongside Fitzroy participants.    

The COVID pandemic and lockdown are presenting a severe challenge to the charity as their clients are particularly vulnerable and much-needed social events are extremely limited. Their programme of planned fundraising events has also had to be significantly curtailed. 

So the charity put out a specific call for help, asking if students would record some Christmas carols and songs to create a virtual Christmas concert for Fitzroy to stream in the run-up to Christmas.  

Having previously hosted FitzRoy visitors at the school’s annual rock show, Bedales music students and teachers set to work, recording a collection of contemporary Christmas music around the Bedales estate in addition to traditional hymns in All Saints Church, Steep. The outcome was an impressive Christmas collection which brought a much-needed smile and helped everyone embrace the Christmas spirit. 

The charity also invited people to join their fundraising ‘Around the World in 80 days challenge’. Over the last year, pupils, staff and parents at Bedales Senior, Prep and Pre-prep Schools have raised £7,500 for FitzRoy through sponsored activities such as walking, running and cycling, which included clocking up over 1,000 miles for the charity’s latest challenge.      

Jim Apted, Community Fundraising Manager at FitzRoy commented:  

"Thank you Bedales all for your continued support. Your pedalling motivation helped us take our 'Around the World' challenge to another level and the amazing videos from the students added a professional touch to our carol concert. We received such lovely feedback. Thank you for sticking with us in a difficult year. You have in no small way helped us to continue our important work." 

6.2 (year 13) student George commented: 

“Filming the Christmas videos for FitzRoy was an absolute blast! It was really inspiring to be able to spread a little Christmas cheer in difficult times. Not only was it a great excuse to produce and record my favourite Christmas song it was also a brilliant opportunity to hone and improve my music video production skills, and it was fun playing drums so loudly in the middle of the school!” 

Another 6.2 student August commented: 

“I’m so thankful to Fitzroy for giving us the opportunity to make their holidays a little brighter. I hope they had as great a time watching it as we had putting it all together!” 

The Christmas videos can be viewed here.

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