Sibford school pupils use 2.6 Challenges to raise money for Helen & Douglas House charity

Sibford School teacher, Zoë Simms', tutor group 7ZS, ages 11-12, worked together (but apart) to each complete the 2.6 Challenge for Helen & Douglas House and have raised £190 so far.

They did their challenges during the week April 26 to May 3, which included making a 26 ingredient pizza, growing 26 sunflowers and making 26 individual origami pieces to more sporty events such as running or riding 2.6K per day, 26 consecutive basketball hoops and 2.6 hours of rugby passes without dropping the ball.

They all chose their personal challenge and, although they live as far apart as Stratford and Banbury and all the villages in between, they took on the challenge together as one team.

Pupil Maia Bradley (12) from Banbury said: "For my 2.6 Challenge I did a 2.6k run every day for a week.

"It was definitely tough at times, but I didn't give up because I knew it was for a good cause. I have loved doing this challenge and helping raising money for Helen & Douglas House."

Pupil Penny Chanides (12) from Middleton Cheney recently celebrated her 12th birthday in lockdown and made 26 individual origami pieces.

Penny said: "I decided to make 26 origami flowers to raise money for Helen & Douglas house. It took me a long-time and some haven't come out as well as others, but I enjoyed doing it and I loved seeing them all of them together, plus it was for a good cause."

Pupil Olivia Taylor (12) from Swalcliffe has been riding her horse Merlin for 2.6K every day last week for her challenge.

Olivia said: "I wanted to do this challenge because I wanted to help raise money for Helen & Douglas house.

"The tutor group are raising money for Helen & Douglas House because we all agreed that this would be a very good charity to support. I found this challenge easy because I love riding and I enjoyed it because it got me outside."

Zoë Simms, head of religious studies at Sibford School said: "My tutor group has been raising money for Helen & Douglas House all this year and aim to raise £1000.

"They loved the Frosty 5k last December and were going to take part in the Bubble Rush in June, but now this is postponed the 2.6 Challenge filled that gap.

"My hope was that they would continue to raise money for this local charity, which they have through the 2.6 challenge.

"They had also been sending bags of donations to the Helen & Douglas shops and, although they are now temporarily closed. I'm sure they will be continuing to clear out their bedrooms in these strange times."

You can donate here for the children’s 2.6 Challenge with the following Just Giving web page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/7zs-2-6-challengeAlison Hooker from Helen & Douglas House said: "It was so lovely to meet Zoë’s tutor group last November when I visited the school.

"I am delighted they have started to raise money for us by taking on some fantastic and imaginative challenges to raise money for us.

"The support we are providing families with local terminally ill children during lockdown is a lifeline for some of them and without wonderful supporters like Sibford School this would not be possible. So a massive thank you to Zoë and her tutor group for raising money for our charity."

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