Young people enrolled in the NCS’s Learn by Design programme took part in a charity fundraiser event at Banbury’s Lock 29 yesterday (Thursday August, 4).
The volunteers, who were aged between 15 and 16, organised the day of fundraising themselves as part of a two-week programme that also saw them learn outdoor crafts like abseiling, raft building, and orienteering.
Setting up two stalls in Banbury’s Lock 29 retail space, the volunteers raised almost £500 for local animal rescue service BARKS and mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind by offering shoppers the opportunity to try out fun activities and homemade food in a bake sale.
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The teenagers, who are on their summer holidays, prepared all of the food themselves and bought gaming equipment such as VR headsets for people to use for £2 per go.
Some of the other fun activities on offer were balloon animals, skittles, guess how many sweets are in the jar, and a variety of traditional board games as well as a selection of electronic games that were connected to a projector, all of which were provided by the young volunteers.
Team leader Shai Morbi said: “It’s gone amazingly well, the young people have developed a lot of skills and have all grown. They have shown passion and have taken it really seriously to put something together really successful and fun”.
As well as taking cash donations on the day, the NCS volunteers set up QR codes around the shopping centre with links to the two charities’ gofundme pages.
Volunteer Ibrahim Alrefai said “The experience of working with friends to raise money for a good cause has been fun.
"We chose Mind because a lot of people have received their help and we are trying to show it’s ok to ask for help when it comes to mental health.”
For more information on the NCS’s Learn by Design programme please visit: https://www.learnbydesign.co.uk/national-citizen-service-ncs
For more information on the BARKS and Oxfordshire Mind charities please visit: