Saint Gregory’s Bath aiming to raise £100k for Phase 2 of The New Sixth

Nearly 1,000 students, staff and friends of Saint Gregory’s Bath took part in a day of fundraising activities, including a 10km walk, on Friday 24 October to raise funds for the second phase of The New Sixth, it’s shared sixth form facility.

In 2013, Saint Gregory’s Bath and St Mark’s Church of England School opened The New Sixth, a
landmark building with state of the art facilities in Odd Down, Bath.

The current building is just half of its intended size with secured planning permission for a further phase of development that will add a 250-seat auditorium and performing arts teaching space, more classrooms and The Well, a unique social and spiritual centre for the students.

The walk was organised as part of the school’s efforts to raise a significant sum towards the cost of Phase 2. Headteacher, Raymond Friel, commented, “I’m pleased to report that Saint Gregory’s sponsored walk was a great success.”

“Despite some rain along the way around 900 staff and students took part in the 10km walk to raise funds for Phase 2 of the Gateway Development to extend the facilities for the sixth form.”

“At Manor Farm, the walkers were warmly welcomed by Mr and Mrs Hignett, who provided much needed rest and shelter in their splendid 15th century tithe barn. Later on in the day we welcomed Lady Gass, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, to Saint Gregory’s, to give out certificates to many of the children who completed the walk.”

“The fundraising total for the project is £1.5m and we have now raised more than 10% of the total ourselves.”

Adding to the day’s fundraising challenges were three sixth form students whose motto was ‘Why walk when you can run?’ Caleb, Megan and Charley ran the entire walk in just over an hour, adding a very respectable £200 to the day’s grand total.

The event on Friday was also teamed with a sponsored cycle ride involving four sixth form students who had challenged themselves to cycle 100km. The cyclists set off from The New Sixth at the same time as the walkers and cycled for 10 hours, completing a challenging 100km ride.

The ‘4’, James, James, Andy and Louis were supported by four members of staff; Mr Fieldhouse and Mr Burnford who are also riding and Mr Fitzgerald and Mrs Parr in support vehicles.

The team have their own Just Giving fundraising page for the event and have raised over £460 so far. Anyone wishing to add to their total can still do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/4for24 or you can text JJAL98 to 70070 with your chosen amount, £1, £2, £3, £4, £5, or £10.

There is also a school Just Giving page where supporters can donate towards the children’s fundraising efforts www.justgiving.com/stgregorysschool.