Crompton House's #WriteaSmile postcard project raises much-needed money for NorthCare charity

Crompton House school's #WriteaSmile postcard project is going from strength to strength.

The project encourages students to think about what makes them feel happy, a funny memory, poem, or joke – write it down, and send on a colourful postcard to a member of our community with the aim of bringing a smile to the faces of both the writer and the reader.

Since its launch in February 2022, students have hand-written thousands of postcards to local primary schools, hospitals, residential homes, our church community and to one another with the hope of raising a smile.

Christmas can be a difficult time for many, and in a world full of technology, sending handwritten postcards will go some way to help combat loneliness during the festive period and beyond, hopefully spreading some happiness particularly for those who may be spending Christmas in hospital.

Crompton House have taken a step further by raising over £700 by creating a #WriteaSmile Christmas hamper, which was raffled at their annual Christmas Fair.

The proceeds from the raffle went to the North Care charities ‘Care this Christmas’ campaign which raises funds towards providing a gift to every patient who will be in hospital over Christmas in our local hospitals within Greater Manchester.

A Crompton House parent won the hamper who after a being in hospital himself last Christmas donated the hamper back to Oldham Hospital so they could continue to raise funds.

Also, Crompton House young entrepreneurs Rory Green and Jacob Fitton in year 7 created handmade Christmas cards and festive bookmarks and sold then to their peers in school with the money raised contributing towards the NorthCare charity.

You can find out more about the NorthCare charity by clicking here

Karl Newell, Executive Head Teacher and CEO, said: “We are so very grateful for the continued support from our parents, carers and the school community and phenomenally proud of our students who continue to go above and beyond creating new ways to help those within our local community through the #WriteaSmile postcard project."

Susanna Hegarty, Head of School, said: “We are super proud of our students for continuing to spread happiness throughout our community through the #WriteaSmile postcard project.

"Christmas can be a difficult time for many and so we are thrilled that our kind and thoughtful students alongside the wider school community were able to raise over £700 for the NorthCare charities Care this Christmas campaign."

Claire Cullen, Learning Zone Manager at Crompton House, said of the initiative: “A huge thank you to everyone who bought a hamper raffle ticket or donated through the #WriteaSmile project.

"Thanks to our students, parents, carers, and the wider community, we have managed to raise over £700 towards this worthy cause.

"Hopefully this will contribute to raising a #WriteaSmile during what may be a difficult time for people in hospital and their families at Christmas.”

Jessica Pollard, Fundraising Officer for the NorthCare Charity - supporting the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust - added: “We’re so grateful for the support from Crompton House School this festive season.

"The students and staff really have gone the extra mile to raise an incredible amount towards our #CareThisChristmas campaign, helping us ensure that every patient in our care on Christmas Day across the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust receives a gift.

"Special shoutout to all the family, friends and visitors that also supported the students fundraising efforts at their Christmas Fair and Christmas Concert, it really does make a difference.

"A huge thank you from all #TeamNorthCare!”

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