The halls of Durrington High School were recently transformed into a hub of community action as students and staff came together for a cause that touches many lives: mental health. In a school-wide effort led by the school’s Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, we managed to collect an incredible 467kg of clothing to support West Sussex Mind’s inaugural Kilo Sale.
The event, which took place on 21st February at the Southwick Community Centre, was a landmark moment for the charity. To help ensure the sale was a success, our team of enthusiastic Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, led by Mr Poole, and Senior Student Leadership Team members Tyler and Nethini, coordinated a donation drive that tapped into the generous spirit at the heart of our school community.
At Durrington, we love to embrace projects that contribute to and support our community, as well as inject some healthy competition amongst students and staff. We are extremely proud to say that the support we received from every member of the school community was exceptional; this collective effort allowed us to achieve such success within a short timeframe of just two weeks.
The results were staggering:
- Grand Total: 467kg of high-quality pre-loved clothing
- Estimated Value: Approximately £9,340 expected to be raised for mental health services
- Top Performing Form Groups: A special mention goes to 8RBe (75kg), 8GHo (53kg), 7EGa (46kg), 11HKi (24kg), 11IBa (16kg), 10JCh (10kg), 9MHa (10kg) and 10EHi (9kg).
As Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, we know that kindness and mental health support go hand-in-hand. By supporting West Sussex Mind, we aren’t just raising funds, we are raising awareness. These donations help provide a lifeline for those in our local community who are struggling, ensuring that no one has to face mental health challenges alone. This phenomenal project has shown that when Durrington High School comes together, we can make an enormous impact on the community around us, one kilo at a time.
Mr Poole said: “As Anti-Bullying Leader at Durrington High School, I could not be prouder of the compassion, leadership and sense community demonstrated by our students. The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors once again showed that their role extends far beyond the school gates, they are advocates for kindness in action. Supporting mental health initiatives is a natural extension of our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all.”
“I would like to personally thank Nethini & Tyler, every student, member of staff and family who contributed to this incredible effort. Collecting 467kg in just two weeks is no small achievement, and it sends a powerful message about what can be accomplished when a community works together. We look forward to continuing our partnership with local charities and finding new ways to champion wellbeing, empathy and community spirit in the months ahead.”
