The outgoing Head Girl team presented the cheque to Charlotte Fairall, Founder and CEO and Lynne Huckle, Corporate and Community Fundraiser from the charity.

‘Sophie’s Legacy is a charity that was created in memory of Sophie Fairall and the legacy of change she wanted to create,’ said Rosie, Deputy Head Girl responsible for charities. ‘Sophie had just turned nine when she was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma in September 2020.

‘During her treatment, Sophie endured nine rounds of intense chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiotherapy. Sadly, in September 2021, Sophie, aged 10, died only a year after her diagnosis.’

‘This is a terrible disease,’ continued Head Girl, Emma. ‘Sophie’s Legacy helps make the children’s and parents’ days in hospital much brighter, helping them look for the positives. Sophie hoped for a play specialist seven days a week in hospitals, improvements for food for children in hospital and parents who stay with their child. She also hoped for GPs, nurses and health professionals to be trained in childhood cancer and to increase the funds in childhood cancer research.’

Emma continued: ‘I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved this year in Sophie’s name — the amount raised has completely exceeded expectations.’

Rosie further added:

‘It has been an honour to support Sophie’s legacy, and I couldn’t be happier with the total we’ve reached thanks to everyone’s generosity.’

On receiving the cheque, Charlotte Fairall, Founder and CEO and Sophie’s mum, said: ‘This is a massive amount that all the students have raised and thank you for their support and enthusiasm over the last year. This huge amount will cover the salary of our family support worker for over six months and provide essential toiletries, food and emotional support to thousands of families. Thank you all so much.’

The Head Girl team spearheaded fundraising activities throughout the year to generate money and raise awareness of the charity. Charity Week has been running for over 30 years and is always organised entirely by the Sixth Form. The week is made up of talent shows, live music events, an annual netball match versus boys from Portsmouth Grammar School and other events. It culminated in a two night Fashion Show where the Sixth Form used their teamwork, leadership and choreography skills to put on a spectacular show.

Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Katie Wood, said:

‘Our Head Girl Team have been so invested in their fundraising efforts for Sophie’s Legacy, as demonstrated by this colossal total. They recognise the importance of the excellent work that is being done to support families up and down the south coast. They have friends who have been helped hugely in their times of need, which has strengthened the personal connection they have made with the charity and their determination to raise as much money as possible. We are extremely proud of our pupils – they are hugely empathetic with a strong social conscience and a desire to help those in need – well done, girls!’