Students at Millfield School in Street raise £10,000 for charity during coronavirus crisis

Students at Millfield independent school in Street have raised £10,000 for charity during the coronavirus pandemic.

The money was raised individually and through the school's House programme by pupils taking part in fundraising events all around the world.

Initiatives included making and selling PPE masks, baking cakes, taking part in a virtual Glastonbury Road Run, a 10p keepie-uppie challenge and a sunflower-growing sweepstake.

A number of charities have benefited such as Somerset NHS Foundation, MIND UK, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Taunton-based St Margaret's Hospice.

Students have also volunteered in hospitals across the UK and worked at a Glastonbury supermarket arranging deliveries and stocking shelves, with their shifts starting at 5.30am.

Headmaster Gavin Horgan said: "I am so proud of our students embodying our school's values to 'Be Kind' during a time where so much goodwill is needed.

"To see our students taking what they have learned at school and inspiring their own communities has been a wonderful outcome during this time."

Millfield has also worked closely with the parish and district councils to provide support for the local community during the coronavirus outbreak and has led the funding, and co-ordination for the delivery, of more than 32,500 main meals to 6,500 vulnerable families eligible for free school meals.

Thanks to the generosity of Millfield parents and staff, more than £16,000 was raised to fund the meals for some 160 families every week and this has continued into the school summer holidays.

The initiative was in place months before the Government made a U-turn on providing summer school meals after England Footballer Marcus Rashford's involvement.

Volunteers from the school have also delivered almost 3,000 prescriptions to vulnerable residents in the Street area who are self-isolating.

"I want to thank each and every volunteer and donor who has helped to raise such a fantastic amount for these good causes," said Mr Horgan.

"These initiatives have brought the local community closer together and we look forward to seeing what else Millfield can be involved in in the future."