On 1st July this year, The Barry Comprehensive School Sri Lanka Team 2017 that includes a mixture of teachers and sixth formers will be departing for the Gampaha district of Sri Lanka where they will be teaching in a local school and visiting orphanages, a deaf and blind school and various other institutions that house vulnerable people. Their fundraising goal is £10,000. Part of this money will be used to purchase teaching materials, toys, sports equipment and art and crafts materials, in aid of the Help Lanka charity and the children and adults that they meet during their trip. Alun Cairns MP, an avid supporter and donor to Help Lanka, recently visited the school to speak to Sixth formers about their upcoming trip and to pledge his support to the fundraising effort. During his visit, he talked about his own recollections of the Tsunami disaster in 2004 that gave rise to the charity and was given a presentation by last years touring party. Vale MP Alun Cairns commented: "“I was delighted to meet the teachers and students at Barry Comprehensive who are heading to Sri Lanka as part of the HelpLanka Initiative. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm they had for helping others in need so far away. Their dedication, raising money throughout the year preparing for hard work as teachers when they are there, is truly impressive.
“I wish the students from Barry Comprehensive the very best of luck in securing the funds they need and delivering the help they can in this project. The staff at Barry Comprehensive have been working with HelpLanka to make this happen year in year out, they deserve praise.”
In order to meet their fundraising goal, Barry Comprehensive school are looking for local businesses and key stakeholders to sponsor or donate gifts in aid of a number of upcoming fundraising events. These include the
Race night at the school on 24th March, a quiz night, a pop up car wash, the summer ball and a car boot sale. If you are interested in attending or sponsoring a horse, race or table at the upcoming Race Night then please contact the school on 01446 411411.