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As the whole nation bends and stretches into shape for Sport Relief, British pop rock band, The Vamps, went back to lead singer Brad Simpson’s old school in Sutton Coldfield to kick start their 2016 fundraising effort. The ‘Can We Dance’ and ‘Oh Cecilia’ stars took part in re-vamped sports day activities with pupils of Fairfax School in preparation for their Sport Relief Mile on Friday 18th March. Connor acted as referee with Brad, James and Tristan joining in with ‘Hungry Human Hippos’ and balloon races to encourage schools across the West Midlands and the rest of the UK to do their bit to make themselves proud, join in the fun and games and fundraise. The Vamps’ Brad Simpson said, “I used to love fundraising for Comic Relief in school. I remember getting sponsored to run my Sport Relief mile around this very hall. To come back and be part of it once again has been great. It’s amazing to see that everyone here is still just as enthusiastic and the teachers are still as determined to make it a success. We hope they keep raising lots of money and this encourages more schools to get involved.”
For Sport Relief 2014, Fairfax School raised an incredible £1,332.32. Money raised in Sport Relief 2016 will go towards helping fund projects right here in the West Midlands, across the UK and the world’s poorest communities. Rachel Boyce, Deputy Head of Academy at Fairfax School said: “It’s lovely to have Brad come back to the school, he hasn’t changed at all. Sport Relief is one of our biggest fundraising events in the school calendar and today is just the start of our Sport Relief activities. This year we have a sports themed non-uniform day, ‘Fairfax has got Talent’ and lots of charity miles and races planned in the lead up to the 18th March.”
Following the Sport Relief fun at the school, the pop rock band went to see Sport Relief money in action at Action4Bullying in Erdington.
Action4Bullying works with young people who have experienced bullying to boost their confidence and help them deal with their experience through various activities such as drama, music, arts & crafts, trips out and issues based workshops.
At the project, the Vamps met with Alex, 15, who comes to the project every week. Alex had low self-esteem as a result of bullying in school but since joining the project his confidence has grown and he has made new friends. Brad, added: “We’ve all been bullied at some point, whether it was at school or when we were much younger. Coming to projects like Action 4 Bullying, you can really see the benefit that it has on the kids. Knowing that there are other people going through the same thing, having that haven and opportunity to talk to someone is amazing.”
John Fisher, Project manager at Action 4 Bullying said, “We have all worked so hard to make the project what it is today and tonight just made it all worth it! Seeing the young people’s faces made me as project manager so proud, in fact at one point I had to fight back the tears.
“The funding we get from organisation like Comic Relief makes what we do possible. Every penny goes towards making a difference to the young people we work with and without funding, it just would not be possible.”
Hundreds of schools across the region will be doing the Sport Relief Mile on Friday 18th March. Teachers can get started by signing up for a free school fundraising kit. It’s full of fundraising ideas, posters, balloons and stickers, as well as learning resources to help pupils understand where the money goes. Just head to sportrelief.com/schools There are lots of ways to get involved: at school, in the workplace and in the local area. From Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March 2016 the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games are back and the whole of the West Midlands will walk, run, swim or cycle itself proud to raise vital cash to help people living incredibly tough lives. In fact, half of all the money raised by the public is spent right here in the UK, with the other half used to make a difference in the world’s poorest communities.
Sign up now at sportrelief.com
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Red Nose Day Media Team:020 7820 2500media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)Press area07984510473 (out of hours only)
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity which aim to create a just world, free from poverty – where everyone is safe, healthy, educated and empowered. Since 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £1 billion. That money has helped, and is helping, people living incredible tough lives, both here at home in the UK and across the world.
For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit comicrelief.com.
Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).
For the latest news, statements and exclusive content direct from the Comic Relief Press Office follow @ComicReliefNews(opens in new window).
