Successful Halloween fundraising activities involving the whole school took place on Monday and raised an impressive £842.11.
Activities included fancy dress in Hallowe’en costumes and a bake sale by the Preparatory Department with a wonderful array of spooky themed cakes bakes and donated by parents.
Pupils were given a special talk in their school assemblies by Headmaster James Harrison and former staff member Justine Ashford, about former pupil Jenny Rowbory who attended Saint Felix from 1998-2002 and her family’s fight to #savejenny with a life changing operation.
Jenny Rowbory left Saint Felix for Bristol University to study Classics when she became seriously ill, aged 18, in her first term. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS); a genetic disorder that causes her to produce faulty collagen. Jenny’s family have tried several types of treatment over the years, but none have been successful. A failed operation two years ago meant that Jenny’s situation deteriorated. Jenny is fundraising for a potentially life-saving operation in New York with a gofundme campaign https://www.gofundme.com/f/savejenny .
So far the campaign has raised £209,590 towards a £750,000 total with ongoing individual online donations.
Jenny’s campaign has been chosen as one of the charities for fundraising led by Senior pupils on the Saint Felix School council across the 2022/23 school year.
Justine gave a moving account of Jenny’s time at Saint Felix and introduced the pupils to “Jenny the Giraffe” – an eye-catching campaign mascot which will be used by pupils to draw attention to the campaign. The Giraffe will remain at Saint Felix ready for pupils to use to spread the word.
Justine urged Saint Felix pupils to:
“Do something eye catching – you never know what will happen. Every tagged photograph of the giraffe will help to raise awareness and encourage donations towards Jenny’s campaign.”
So far, the Giraffe has travelled up mount Snowdon, appeared on patrol with RNLI Lifeguards and (briefly) on the BBC Introducing stage at Latitude Festival in the summer.
Headmaster James Harrison thanked parents, staff and Saint Felix pupils and stated:
“We wish Jenny and her family every success with their campaign. I continue to be very proud of the Saint Felix School community. The children were inspired when they heard about Jenny’s plight and responded with enthusiasm and an increased awareness of the need to help others.”
All proceeds will be donated to Jenny’s Go Fund Me campaign. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/savejenny )