Pop star Sharleen’s letter struck a chord

LAST WEEK Nicola Duncan inspired her school, Northfield Academy in Aberdeen, to rise to The Sunday Post School’s Hospice Challenge. This week it’s the turn of another Nicola to galvanise her schoolchums into action.  Nicola Roy (16) is in sixth year at Firrhill High School, Edinburgh. She and her pal Catriona Weir (17) run their school’s charity committee which involves senior pupils. Head teacher Pat Cairns approached the girls with a letter she’d received from Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri who’s written to every secondary in Scotland asking them to join the Sunday Post School’s Hospice Challenge. Nicola knew she just had to persuade her fellow-pupils on the committee to join in.

Nicola (right), with Catriona (second left) and their sixth form fund-raising colleagues.

We’re delighted to report they’ve drawn up a list of activities which they hope will make a sizeable contribution to our campaign.
“We’ve decided to involve the first-year classes in a series of events,” says Nicola. “There are 11 classes and they’re divided into three houses. We’ve given each class a box which they have to fill with as much money as possible between now and Christmas. The house which raises the most will be rewarded.
“We’re also organising a Hallowe’en disco and the ticket money will go to the Hospice Challenge. Pupils will also pay to come to school dressed as their favourite pop star.
“We plan to hold several more fund-raisers every month or so until the end of the school year.”
Well done Firrhill High. Now we’re looking for more and more schools to take up the challenge.
When Sharleen Spiteri wrote to head teachers she certainly didn’t envisage a response from Anne Matonti.
Anne’s a head teacher sure enough, but not of a secondary. Her job is keeping 120 kids in check at Bonnyton Nursery School in Linlithgow.
She read about our appeal last week and decided age is no barrier when it comes to a worthwhile cause.
“We hold two Christmas concerts every year and this time the money we raise will go to The Sunday Post’s campaign,” said Anne. “We also sell stickers to the children and they use them as stamps when sending Christmas cards to family and friends. The proceeds will also go towards the new hospice.” 

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com