Annual Giving Fund report 2009-10

The first Annual Giving Fund organised by King Edward’s School has come to an end and we are very pleased to report that it has been an overwhelming success.

.

Originally, the Fund was created to raise money for additional bursary support for children who need to come to King Edward’s. These children must have a happy, safe and supportive environment in which to grow and flourish. The Annual Giving Fund will help to provide additional support each year, allowing the School to direct the funds where they are most needed.

.

We launched the campaign at the beginning of October 2009 and our target was to achieve two half bursaries with an approximate value of £25,000. We had all members of the School community in our sights from whom to request help. They included past pupils, their parents and past staff, as well as current parents, staff, governors, and other friends of the School.

.

We are delighted to report that we reached our target as early as November and now that we have reached the end of this first year, have raised a staggering £46,598.97. This will mean that we can support even more children.

.

Single donations accounted for a large proportion of the gifts made throughout the year, and we are very grateful for these. However, the success of the Annual Fund is in continual giving. Small gifts made monthly, quarterly or annually by standing order contributed nearly 10%. In addition, more than £10,000 has been pledged in standing orders for the next year’s campaign.

.

DRAMA DEPARTMENT

We also wanted to identify a different project to receive support each year, which will enhance our pupils’ enjoyment of life at King Edward’s. The first to receive assistance has been the Drama Department, which was in urgent need of up to date equipment for productions in the Charter Hall.

.

The staff were delighted to go shopping for a mechanized rotating stage, gauze fly curtains, new full length stage scenery flats, a powered lighting bar, and digital lighting desk. It was also possible for an upgrade to the electrical power distribution in the hall. All these were employed in this year’s Spring production of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials”.

.

In September, we launch our second Annual Giving Fund. In addition to providing bursaries, our nominated project will be to raise funds for Music Technology for the Countess of Munster Music School.

.

Gwyn Phillips

Community Relations Office

.

List of contributors