Regis School pupils collect change to help change lives

Children and families in low income countries are constantly suffering from malnutrition as the food that they are absorbing is either too low in calories or not providing the nutrients needed to stay healthy. By collecting ‘sofa change’, the Bognor Regis school has raised more than £1,800 to support UNICEF’s work in Liberia. Over the last few months, students and teachers have all come together in order to collect money. They have sold sausage sandwiches, rummaged through their pockets and purses for coppers and have all brought in a pound for ‘change for change non-uniform day’. A spokesman for the Regis School said: “Kev Robbins, the school counsellor, said he had the opportunity to go to Uganda and visit some primary schools where they only have £1 per student per year. “He saw the difference that our money could make.” Tutor groups have individually been collecting students change for the past month in jars which they sent down to the library to be counted. Last year they collected £1,700 over the course of a few months for ‘change for change’. “This year our school is so pleased to have exceeded that total. “£300 trains two nurses so we know this money will make long term change for communities,” the spokesman said. Assistant principal Mrs Saunders said: “Day for change is a tangible way our staff and students can make a difference. “Tutor groups have been collecting loose change for over a month and the fundraising will culminate in a non-uniform day, where students will bring a pound to take part. “The students have arranged a raffle and a cake sale too.” Students have also been educated on the difference that they are making during tutor sessions and assemblies. “The money raised will also not only go to supporting malnourished families but also to educating parents and carers on the importance of feeding their children the correct food. This way everyone can stay healthy, and not just people in undeveloped countries as this issue affects the entire world. English teacher Mrs Ward added: “To me it’s really important, I have two young children and it makes me quite sad to think that not all children have the advantages in life that they do.” Some 90 students also took part in partnering with UNICEF to walk 12,000 steps a day for two months in order to earn malnourished children ‘plumpy-nut bars’. Plumpy-nut bars are full of all of the necessary nutrients and calories that children need in order to stay healthy and survive. Hundreds of schools have helped take part in UNICEF’s annual day for change through fundraising as a community to make the largest impact possible. Together, the schools will be able to make a huge difference at a small expense of a mere few pennies to each individual student. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.bognor.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BognorRegisObserver 3) Follow us on Twitter @BogObserver 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Bognor Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.