GO2H - read how a sports college raised money for kids in Kenya

GO2H has captured the imagination of a specialist sports college in Birmingham. When asked if they would raise enough money for sports equipment to be taken out to Kenya this Easter, the staff and pupils of Bishop Challoner Catholic School willingly agreed to take up the challenge. Their new house system meant that each house was encouraged to raise the most money for the Charity Shield.

So, for over a week, each lunchtime students completed the ‘Global Challenge’ assault course set up in the gym. It was a sports skills course, involving football dribble, Gaelic football skills, basketball shoot, a judo throw, vaulting over a box, under beams, over hurdles and a final charge through tackle bags manned by members of the school’s own rugby academy. Each competitor was timed to find the fastest challenger but, most important, they were also sponsored to help GO2H. The gym was packed with spectators and a running commentary was provided by students and staff.

What inspired young people to get involved? It seems they not only wanted the fun of taking part in a sports event but they wanted to make a difference to the project being visited in March this year. At the time of writing, the equipment going to Kenya with the team included: 20 footballs, 8 sets of football kit, 20 netballs, 8 netball bibs, 2 sets of Kwik Cricket equipment, 2 sets of cone markers for coaching and two pumps.

The truth is we can all do something with our sport to impact the communities we support through GO2H. It just takes some creative thinking and then some action! Churches are getting stuck in too. As Steve Ashton writes, his church in Bedford got soaked playing for GO2H. “Storm after storm dumped its load on Bedford. As we got out of our cars at Bedford Park, yet another deluge hit. Neither was there any sign of let-up. What is surprising is that any kids turned up at all, but they did. Not many, but those who did had a great time.

Needless to say, so did the wrinklies! Football, rounders, volleyball, circuiting the park (the energetic ran – others were more sedate) and finally the boys v girls ‘create a shanty house in ten minutes’, to be tested with - you guessed it – more water! Though there were only a few of us, we were blessed with a lot of sunshine after about ¾ of an hour, a lot of fun and a donation of £159 for GO2H. Without the rain we might have doubled that. It’s that easy, I’d recommend it to anyone. As GO2H suggests - JUST DO SOMETHING!”

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