Eight-year-old raises £7,410 for school playground

A primary school pupil in West London who raised a staggering £7,410 to fund new playground equipment for younger children has opened the climbing frame his fundraising made possible.

Eight-year-old James “JC” Connor, a pupil at Our Lady & St John’s Primary School in Brentford, raised the funds after hearing younger pupils say they hoped the school might one day have a better climbing frame.

JC first heard the idea while taking part in the school’s School Council, where pupils share suggestions about how to improve school life.

Rather than simply raising the issue with teachers, he decided he wanted to try to make it happen.

With encouragement from teachers and family, JC organised a school raffle, donated a Disney on Ice VIP box as the prize, and launched an online fundraising campaign. Friends, parents and members of the wider community all contributed to the effort.

Together the fundraising raised enough money to fund a brand-new climbing frame for younger pupils at the school.

The total funds raised came from three initiatives organised by JC:

• School raffle (Disney on Ice box): £1,570

• Online auction (32 Auctions): £168.86 net

• JustGiving fundraising page: £5,490.61 net

The climbing frame was officially opened on Monday 16 March, with JC invited to cut the ribbon as younger pupils used the equipment for the first time.

JC told That's Health: “When I joined the School Council I heard younger children saying they wished they had a better climbing frame, so I wanted to try to help make it happen.”

Mrs Kelliher, Headteacher at Our Lady & St John’s Primary School, told us that  JC’s initiative had been an inspiring example for the whole school community.

“JC’s fundraising is a wonderful example of how our pupils live out the values we teach in school. His kindness and determination show how even the youngest members of our community can make a real difference.”

JC’s parents, Stephen and Ha Smith, said they had been inspired by their son’s determination to help younger children at the school.

“What began as a simple idea raised in the School Council became something so much bigger. We are incredibly proud of JC for wanting to help younger pupils and for showing that even a small idea can make a real difference when a community comes together.”

Several of JC’s classmates also contributed ideas for the design of the climbing frame, while a parent from the school community volunteered to assist with surfacing work during installation.

The school has also recognised JC’s efforts during assembly with its ‘Disciple of Hope’ certificate, celebrating pupils who demonstrate kindness, leadership and service to others.

The project has become an example of how a school community can come together to support younger pupils and turn an idea raised through the School Council into something lasting.

For more information visit: https://www.ourladyandstjohns.org.uk