Personal connections to communities affected by the Nepal earthquakes have prompted Rossett School students to give their all to the fundraising efforts.
Sixth form student Rina Biswarkana, 17, is originally from Nepal and moved to the UK when she was eight, but she still has family members living there.
When she heard about the first earthquake, which led to more than 3,000 deaths, she knew immediately that she wanted to raise money to help. She organised a cake stall in school, and her efforts will be augmented with proceeds from a non-uniform day for the whole school.
Rina said: It was terrifying when we heard about the earthquake. It took a couple of days for my parents to manage to contact all their relatives, but eventually we found out they were all safe. However, they are still struggling with the aftershocks and the impact on the phone lines and supplies.
I felt completely helpless sitting here unable to do anything to help, so I knew straight away I wanted to raise money for the relief effort.
Despite her A level exams coming up this month, Rina organised a cake stall with her friends – and was thrilled with the support she received from fellow students and members of staff at the school.
Meanwhile, Rossett School has a partner programme with a school in Nepal, set up through Rotary International. Confirmation was quickly received that the partner students and staff had not been directly affected by the earthquake, although the country’s infrastructure has been left in chaos and the school has been closed until the situation improves.
Year 8 students have now written to their pen pals at Panchamool High School in Nepal to let them know that everyone at Rossett is thinking of them and doing what they can to help. A non-uniform day has been held and, combined with Rina’s cake stall, the fundraising total has reached £2,479.91, which will be donated to the Nepal earthquake appeal.
Headteacher Helen Woodcock said: We were all shocked and very concerned for our Nepalese friends when we heard about the devastating earthquake.
It was an enormous relief to hear our partner school was intact and its staff and students safe, but of course there are many people who have not been so fortunate. Rina’s cake stall was a great success and we have added to her fundraising total with a non-uniform day.
Rossett students have also written to their friends in Nepal to offer their support and encouragement as the country begins to recover from this terrible event. It is difficult to watch it all unfold from a distance, but we are doing all we can to make a difference to the people of Nepal.
