AFTER an outstanding effort from sixth form students and staff at St. Mary’s School, Menston, the impressive sum of £4,134.25 has been raised for the school’s advent appeal.

The final amount raised will be distributed amongst the school’s chosen charities - CAFOD, Catholic Care, Martin House and St Gemma’s Hospice.

CAFOD work with partners in over 40 countries to bring hope, compassion and solidarity to poor communities with the ultimate aim of ending poverty. Catholic Care have worked with children, families and adults for hundreds of years in the Yorkshire area and support all those in need of its services. Martin House (opened in 1987 by the Duchess of Kent) cares for children who have life-limiting illnesses and provide support their families. Finally, St Gemma’s Hospice provides specialist medical and nursing care with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer.

As part of the advent appeal, sixth form students and staff arrived at school on Friday, December 14 in fancy dress costumes, each donating £5. The purpose of this event is to raise enough funds to fulfil the aim of changing the lives of many disadvantaged people across Leeds.

The annual Sixth Form Fancy Dress Day is traditionally a highlight of the school’s fundraising efforts, the first event of its kind taking place in 2004. This year there were a wide range of fancy dress costumes from high-profile names in sport to characters from popular films and TV shows such as Ghostbusters, the Teletubbies and Pudsey Bear.

All the chosen charities were extremely grateful for the fundraising efforts made by Sixth Formers and staff on Fancy Dress Day.

A representative from CAFOD said: “Your donations really do make a vital difference and will be used to support CAFOD’s varied projects across the developing world, which bring real improvements to the livelihoods of many thousands of our poorest sisters and brothers. Your continued generosity will help to bring new hope to many who have so little. Thank you.”

The whole community from St. Mary’s, Menston would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Report written by Sixth Form Student Evan Seaman