FROME College students and staff have raised thousands of pounds for charity in memory of former student, Lauren Mead, who died suddenly in her sleep last year at the age of 19.
Lauren’s brother, Patrick Mead, who is in year 13 at the college, shaved off all his hair last month, raising around £1,500 for cardiac charity SADS UK – a charity that aims to save lives, providing information, funding research and medical equipment to prevent premature sudden cardiac death. A further £1,140 has been raised by the school during its non-uniform day, with the money raised being split between SADS UK and the Nyota Ing’arayo (Shining Star) Charitable Trust, which is working towards health, education and attendance at a school in Mombasa in Kenya – a project that Lauren visited and supported.
The school reports, “Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising non-uniform day in Lauren Mead’s honour, which has raised £1,140.65. Lauren’s family have chosen two charities to support, SADS UK, which researches Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome, and the Nyota Ing’arayo (Shining Star) Charitable Trust.
“Richard Tewkesbury from the Nyota Ing’arayo Trust and Adrian Mead, Lauren’s father, visited Frome College on Wednesday 22nd January to meet with principal, Ms Reynolds and Dr Sadowski, head of sixth form, to catch up on the fantastic work being done in Mombasa with the funds raised.
“Richard thanked Frome College for all the donations, and hopes to return from his trip to Mombasa and host an assembly, so students can see just how much the fundraising has helped the children there to be able to attend school.
“Patrick Mead in year 13 bravely took on the challenge to welcome fellow sixth formers to shave his head for charity on Friday 24th January. During break time, the common room in Futures was quickly transformed into a mock barbershop, seeing many students keen to take charge of the clippers!
“Patrick wanted to raise further funds for SADS UK, following the loss of his sister Lauren, and throughout the event he raised around £1,500 from staff, students, family and friends.
“Although funds are still being received, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the charity, and we hope to do more fundraising in future to support the family’s chosen charities.”
Lauren’s father, Adrian Mead said “On behalf of the family I would like to say thank you for everyone’s continued support.”
