Students at STEPS carry off big prize (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Students at STEPS carry off big prize

4:00pm Saturday 10th November 2012 in Chard

STUDENTS at the STEPS Centre in Chard beat off stiff competition to win a new and prestigious prize awarded by the Give More movement.

Give More looks to raise awareness that people’s needs in our communities are going up, and services we could all rely on are being affected as charities and groups struggle to cope.

This year, Give More teamed up with Giving Nation to award the inaugural Give More prize of £500.

STEPS Centre students from Chard pledged to do their bit for the area by organising an successful fundraising event for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Acting deputy head of centre Di Trewick said: “We encouraged students and staff to consider the benefits of giving more to our community, to charities and to good causes.

“Through this fundraising every student learnt that giving time and energy is just as valuable as giving money, and that giving feels great.

“The Give More prize was the icing on the cake. Everyone at the school is so proud of our achievement, and we hope we can inspire those around us to get involved and pledge to give more, too.”

The STEPS Centre in Bradfield Way is a small pupil referral unit which educates students who have been, or are at risk of, exclusion from their mainstream schools.

Tamar Ghosh, of Give More, said: “The students at STEPS have shown exceptional community spirit in their work to fundraise locally.

“They provide a great example of young people going all out to show they have the power to change things.

“Every single person can influence things for the better.”