Incredible Scenes as Schools Fundraise for Cancer Charities

As we reach the peak of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, things are hotting up. Channel 4 have launched a host of special Stand Up To Cancer shows, with the first episode of the highly entertaining Celebrity Hunted airing yesterday night alongside the stark reminder that 1 in 2 people will have cancer at some point in their lifetime.

This brings into focus the importance of Breast Cancer Now’s wear it pink day, which is one of the biggest fundraising events in the UK.

Pink Power

Tonbridge School got in the pink to show its support for breast cancer charities, with boys donning a variety of outrageous and eye-catching clothing, including onesies, leggings, wigs and bonnets for the school’s annual Pink Day on Friday (12 October).

The boys wore a variety of outrageous and eye-catching clothing, including onesies, leggings, wigs and bonnets

Teachers and support staff also joined in with the spirit of the day and sported pink attire in order to increase awareness of the disease, and raise funds which will support vital research into improving cancer survival rates for all. Although in the 1970s 1 in 4 cancer victims survived, and today 2 in 4 people will beat the disease, the hope is that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive.

At Tonbridge School, it was a magical sight to see the sea of pink as boys filled the pews and seats at morning chapel. Boys continued to wear their bright clothing throughout the day’s lessons and activities. Competitions were run to find the Best Dressed Individual (Ben Moore, WH2) and group.

Tonbridge School boys ‘in the pink’ at morning chapel

To spread the message further, staff tied pink bows and ribbons to school buildings and flew a flag emblazoned with ‘Supporting Breast Cancer Now’

Sending a Clear Message

This year’s Pink Day was launched in a school assembly by Paul Ridd, a Biology teacher at Tonbridge, who has experienced the effects of breast cancer within his family. In a moving talk he explained how, thanks to research, treatments are improving all the time and how increasing numbers of cancers are curable if spotted at an early stage.

Sporting a bright pink T-shirt with the words “How Do Yours Feel?”, Paul’s powerful message was that we all need to be aware of any changes in our bodies, and that boys and men, in particular, need to act immediately if they have concerns.  

The Tonbridge School Centre also hosted a coffee morning for Pink Day, which included a raffle and a bring and buy cake sale.

Juliet Burnett, the school’s Community Action Manager, said: “Pink Day is very popular among the boys. It’s a special occasion when the whole school gets involved and it’s a fun way to promote a serious message. We expect to raise well over £2,000 and to beat our previous record sum.”

If you would like to make a donation to this important cause, or for more information, please visit the Breast Cancer Now website.

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