Askwith pupils raise £1,000 for RSPCA (From Wharfedale Observer)

Askwith pupils raise £1,000 for RSPCA

5:23pm Thursday 11th October 2007 in Schools By Jim Jack

CHILDREN at Askwith County Primary School are celebrating raising more than £1,000 for a national animal charity.

The school chose the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) as its charity for the year, and held several fundraising events.

A cheque for £1,063 was presented to the organisation at a special assembly, where officers thanked pupils, parents and staff for their help and gave a presentation.

Headteacher Don Parker said: "The children put on lots of little events to raise the money - things like baking and making magazines - and we're delighted to have raised more than £1,000.

"The winners of a poster competition were also announced at the RSPCA assembly and will now be visiting Bradford Animal Shelter on a guided tour."

The school has chosen a school and orphanage in Mattuga, Uganda - whose headteacher and pastor Ivan Lugolobi talked to the Askwith pupils in the summer - as its charity for the coming year.

Meanwhile, a host of healthy initiatives has earned Askwith National Healthy School' status.

The school has held all kinds of events aimed at improving pupils' health, from rugby training with Leeds Tykes to healthy eating cookery demonstrations and a talk on dental health. A Bradford Bulls assembly also took place and the children were encouraged to try lots of different fruits, courtesy of Waitrose.