By Olivia Simpson
PUPILS at a secondary school in Reading have raised more than £6,000 for a homelessness prevention charity.
Students at Reading Blue Coat in Sonning on Thames, Berkshire, raised £6,180.37 for Launchpad by taking part in the charity's annual Big Sleep Out.
READ ALSO: Reading Blue Coat declared ‘Excellent’ by Independent Schools Inspectorate.
The Big Sleep Out is a challenge where people swap the luxury of a home and a comfortable bed for a cardboard box and a sleeping bag for the night.
Pupils slept out on Friday December 6, the coldest night of 2019, to raise vital funds and help prevent homelessness.
Examinations Manager, Mrs Maria Blackwell, who organised and took part in the Sleep out said: “Our school community can make a difference and really stepped up to the challenge.
“I am very proud of their accomplishments and the money that was donated will go a long way to fund Launchpad projects.”
READ ALSO: KPMG moves its Thames Valley business to Reading's Forbury Place.
A further £721.01 was raised for Launchpad on the School’s Christmas Jumper Day which saw pupils come to school adorned in jovial jumpers.
In total, Reading Blue Coat has raised over £30,000 for the charity, which it has supported for several years.
The school was founded by Richard Aldworth who saw the need to educate underprivileged Children from Reading.
The school prides itself on its charitable work and today pupils visit and host pupils from local primary schools and help with everything from sport and drama to music and design technology.
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