There may be 12 days of Christmas – and today, 12 students from Ely College brought festive cheer to kids with cancer after sweating it out for 12 hours to raise charity cash.
The Ely “elves” spent their last day of term today visiting Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, delivering gifts to children on cancer wards.
The team had all recently participated in a 12 Hours of Sport fundraiser, which allows Key Stage 3 students at Ely College the chance to raise money on behalf of the Malcolm Whales Foundation (MWF).
After sweating it out for 12 hours in the gym and fitness suite, the pupils raised over £2000.
PE teacher and MWF trustee Stuart Patman was not only impressed by students’ dedication on the day but also by their leadership qualities.
“While we like to keep it interesting for them by facilitating games and different sports, this year students really stepped up and worked exceptionally well together.”
Twelve students who’d particularly shone were invited to take £500 of the money raised to Addenbrookes – and become elves for the day.
They visited the C2 children’s oncology and haematology ward in Addenbrooke’s to deliver sacks full of presents, board games and puzzles that would benefit the ward for months to come and help put a smile on poorly children’s faces this Christmas.
Year 9 student, Josh Lawrence, said: “A lot of kids are going through painful treatment now so they can spend recovery time at home for Christmas.
“It was nice to play a game of Connect 4 with them and put a smile on their face. They were so grateful for the gifts, as were the nurses at Addenbrooke’s.”
Ely College will continue its work with the MWF, with a Dorset Walk planned for July.
Other local schools keen to join Ely College in for 12 Hours of Sport 2018 are welcome to contact Mr Patman via the college.
