SENIOR students at Bromsgrove School have raised funds for the south Birmingham-based charity Sense.
They raised more than £1,500 through an ‘Own Clothes Day’ for the Selly Oak branch of the national charity which helps those who are deafblind or have complex disabilities.
The students have become passionate about the organisation’s work and have built relationships with individuals there.
School Chaplain Rev Hedworth and the charity representatives Meredith A and Eleanor R selected the charity due to the close connection which has been developed between the School and Sense TouchBase Pears.
A buddy programme has seen students volunteer at events such as accessible cycling in Sutton Park, bowling in Rubery and art activities at Sense TouchBase Pears.
Dr Dawn Rimmer, Master of Scholars at the School, has been volunteering with Sense for more than 19 years.
During this time Dawn has made a huge difference in raising deaf awareness among pupils at the school and has built strong relationships between the Bromsgrove pupils and young people from Sense TouchBase Pears.
A Bromsgrove School spokesperson said: “Over the last few years, staff from the centre have regularly visited the school to support our extra-curricular programme, specifically the deaf culture and communication activity hosted by Dr Rimmer.
“It has been lovely to see the friendships develop between our students and the young people from TouchBase Pears. We are looking forward to these reciprocal visits restarting as soon as current restrictions allow.”
Community fund-raising manager Carl Williams said: “Thank you to the pupils at Bromsgrove School for their fund-raising efforts and continued work with Sense TouchBase Pears.
“It is thanks to people like Dawn and the students at Bromsgrove that Sense is able to support children and adults who have complex disabilities or are deafblind.”
Visit sense.org.uk for more on Sense.
