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30 November 2017
The Portsmouth High School GDST Sixth Form held their annual Charity Week last week culminating in a glittering and dazzling Fashion Show on Thursday and Friday nights. This year the girls chose to support the local branch of Motor Neurone Disease charity (MNDA).
The Fashion Show was a culmination of a huge array of activities throughout the week raising money and awareness for MNDA. The evenings were supported by many local organisations including Tony Wood Hair, Southsea Coffee Company, The Tenth Hole tearooms, Charlotte Cornelius, Playzone and Fry and Kent. The girls in the Sixth Form put on an incredible show featuring clothes from local shops including Mousetrap, Strong Island and Dress Code.
Charity Week at Portsmouth High has been going on for over 25 years and is always run entirely by the Sixth Form. The week is made up of a fancy dress parade, talent shows, a PHS version of Would I Lie to You? and an annual netball match versus the Portsmouth Grammar School’s First XV rugby team.
‘We’ve got such an array of talent in the school and it is a great opportunity for girls to be performing in front of their peers at the same time as raising awareness and much needed funds for Motor Neurone Disease,’ said Head Girl, Nancy Fenton, 17.
‘The week is also about team work. We’ve worked immensely hard as a Sixth Form from organising daily events that the whole school can be involved in but also have to take responsibility for the business side of the week as well; the finance and insurance as well as the ticketing, marketing and accompanying paperwork. We’ve juggled this with A Level and other commitments but we understand that this is a reflection of real life and a work hard, play hard ethos which the school has taught us from the beginning.’
‘We are so grateful that the Head Girls have chosen MNDA for their charity this year,’ said Mr Andrew Lane, Leader of the local group of volunteers for MNDA . ‘I promise that every penny you have raised will help patients and families who have been affected by this devastating disease and go towards our research work. The UK is a world leader in research into this genetic disorder; there are 5000 people affected by MND at any one time and 2000 new cases diagnosed every year. There is no cure as yet and most doctors go through their working life never having seen a case. The disease can affect how you walk, talk, drink, eat and breathe but symptoms can be managed and the money you raise will continue to support patients and families in the Portsmouth and Hampshire area.’
‘I really enjoyed charity week because the events were a great way to get everyone involved and raise money for such a good cause,’ said Nell Newport Spiers, aged 12. ‘My favourite events were the netball match against PGS boys and the fashion show.’
‘It was such a fun and eventful week,’ added Lilly-May Anderson, aged 13. ‘The netball match and the Fashion Show were my favourites too.’
Eleanor Wallace, aged 11, added; ‘The boys just didn’t know how to play netball which made it really funny.’
Chloe Wildsmith, aged 16, who took part in the netball match and top goal scorer said; ‘It was such a great atmosphere to have the whole school cheering us on and all for the brilliant cause of Motor Neurone Disease.’
