We are delighted to share even more wonderful stories of boys helping to make an impact during lockdown with a whole range of activities and acts of kindness—all in just the last few weeks.
George Simmonds (Y7) has been busy writing a brilliant weekly newsletter for residents in a local care home. It is sure to have brought a smile to many residents’ faces with all its fun entries, stories, photos and art.
Alfie James (Y8) potted 27 spring bulbs: one for each of the elderly residents in the care home on his road so that every resident could have a plant in their room. He used his own money, which he earned by doing jobs at home, to buy all the bulbs and pots.
Bay Chater (Y5) helped out by picking litter with his grandfather who volunteers for ‘Pride in Bedford’ as a ‘Street Champion Volunteer’ and was glad to show Bay the ropes! Nico Stewart (Y3), Gabriel Roberts (Y3) and James Gordon (Y8) have also been busy making a difference to the environment in their local area by collecting rubbish, while Henry Gandesha (Y5) turned his hand to clearing his local village pond of both rubbish and duckweed. Meanwhile, Joseph Edwards (Y8) came up with a good way to recycle his old Christmas tree – turning it into an environmentally-friendly shelter for wildlife.
Rhys Brook (Y7) has been volunteering at the community larder in Bedford; he has been collecting donated food items and food that would have ended up in landfill from a supermarket before taking it to the community larder. The community larder cooks meals for the homeless with the donated food and also runs a community supermarket that sells discounted items for those in need.
SJ Gill (Y4) has been helping to deliver groceries from his parents’ shop to the elderly and those who are vulnerable or self-isolating.
Major Grewal (Y3) wanted to say thank you and show his appreciation to NHS staff at Kingston hospital who looked after his mum and baby sister, born last year, so wonderfully. Not only did he bake vegan cupcakes (so everyone could enjoy them) for the staff—complete with a thank you message—he also wrote them a poem and created a papier-mâché hot air balloon with rainbow stripes.
Freddie Bowis (Y7) also baked cupcakes to bring smiles to his neighbours’ faces during the snow, while Jacob Jemmett-Gabrys (Y4) delivered flowers and biscuits in a kind gesture for his neighbour who lives alone and is unable to get out much.
Ben Brading (Y4) set himself the challenge of walking 31 kilometres (a kilometre a day every day in January) in aid of the Bedford Blues Foundation and Fergus Jenkins (Y6) is raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Research by completing a sponsored 10-mile cycle ride.
Hayden Grattan (Y6) has been helping his neighbours who are key workers with a bit of dog walking for them while they are at work, and Dylan Leung (Y7) helped to make an impact for his little brother who loves tanks by creating him his very own out of cardboard.
Matthew Byrne (Y5) sent crossword puzzles to his class and Mr McGregor to keep them entertained and offered to cheer them up with a call if they wished, while Evan Byrne (Y3) created some Sudoku puzzles, which he sent out with sweet treats to his teacher and class.
Inspired so much by Captain Sir Tom Moore, the boys’ efforts are all the more poignant as we reflect upon them this week. Fittingly, they show that his great legacy of kindness lives on. A true inspiration to the boys, Captain Tom’s determination and generous spirit exemplified how we can all make an impact on people’s lives and help to ensure that ‘tomorrow will be a good day’ for all.