Pupils and staff at Holywood Primary School, County Down, are showing their support for Belfast-based international development organisation Concern Worldwide by ‘Going Green’ to help launch a new campaign on Friday 17 October – the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Enthusiastic supporters of the charity, pupils and staff at the school have raised an incredible £1,150 over the last two years for the humanitarian organisation by taking part in term-time colouring competitions and having a stall at their annual spring fair, all organised in partnership with volunteers from Concern’s charity bookshop in the town.
As a thank you for their outstanding fundraising efforts, pupils were treated to a special school assembly at the start of the new term. They learned more about the work and mission of Concern Worldwide to end extreme poverty. The aid organisation works in 27 of the world’s most fragile places to bring about lasting change to lives, livelihoods and communities, reaching 27.3 million people and responding to 50 emergencies in 2024.
Special guest, Q Radio presenter and Concern’s Northern Ireland ambassador, Ibe Sesay joined the children for a Q&A session about his trip to Sierra Leone with Concern to see firsthand the impact of the charity’s work with vulnerable communities, thanks to the fundraising efforts of schools and pupils just like them. He also shared the important message that everyone has the power to make a positive change in the world and become a great global citizen by getting involved with Concern.
Ibe Sesay, Concern Ambassador said:“It’s an honour to raise awareness of the amazing work that Concern carries out, often in the most difficult of circumstances and in the hardest to reach places to ensure that no one is left behind. I’d encourage everyone – schools, community groups, businesses and individuals to join us on 17 October, or anytime in the autumn, take a stand against extreme poverty and Go Green to show their Concern.”
School Principal, Dr. Walker, said:“We have been delighted to support the vital work of Concern Worldwide over the past two years. The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed their fundraising activities and the special relationship with the volunteers from the Concern Holywood bookshop. It’s also been an invaluable learning experience for our pupils to understand that sadly many children around the world still live in extreme poverty, face hunger every day or have no access to education, creating empathy and understanding for our young people around global issues.”
Nadia Duncan, Senior Fundraising Executive for Concern said: “We are so grateful to Holywood Primary School for their commitment to our cause and their fabulous fundraising over the last two years which is now making real-life impact around the world, supporting families to escape extreme poverty. Every £1 we receive can be life-changing. For example, just £5 can purchase a blanket for a family who have been displaced by conflict or provide 30 sachets of nutrition-packed food that saves babies’ lives. We dream and have hope that one day, no-one, no matter where they are in the world, will be living in poverty and we ask everyone who shares that sentiment to join us and Go Green this autumn to show their Concern.”
To show your support, sign up or for more information on how you can help visit: concern.org.uk/gogreen
