Posted: Wednesday 15 February 2012
Pupils have raised a total of £4,600 for two very deserving charities. The money was raised during the school’s annual Christmas Concert, which took place in the Caird Hall in December 2011. More than 400 pupils took part in the event.
Jean Melville, recently retired Director of Music who produced the concert, said: “The Concert is always a highlight in the school calendar, and it offers an ideal opportunity to support worthwhile causes. The pupils gave a superb performance and have succeeded in raising an incredible amount of money in just one evening. We hope that Charlie Kean’s Children’s Fund and Guide Dogs, find it a useful contribution to their ongoing good works.”
Charlie Kean’s Children’s Fund was set up in 1999 to support children fighting cancer. The charity has supported thousands of ill or disadvantaged children and their families across Tayside and has raised more than £250,000. The charity helped to refurbish areas of the children’s cancer, leukaemia and paediatric ward at Ninewells Hospital. Charity founder, Charlie Kean, who was recently awarded the title of Dundee Citizen of the Year, will receive the donation on behalf of the Children’s Fund. On hearing the news of the donation, Mr Kean said: This is an absolutely marvellous donation. Kean’s Children’s Fund aims to help children and families in the fight against cancer. It’s about trying to help the children by taking their minds off what they are going through, even if it’s for just a little while. We organise special trips out and hope to raise funds for a minibus which can also be shared with Children with Cancer and Maggie’s. Children from the High School of Dundee have raised a huge amount of money which is an amazing kick-start to this new minibus appeal.”2012 is an exciting year for Guide Dogs as the charity celebrates its 80th anniversary of guide dog partnerships. 1931 saw our first guide dog partnership, and since then, Guide Dogs have enabled thousands of blind and partially sighted people to get around independently, through guide dog partnerships. Dundee Coordinator, Ally Taylor will accept the donation on behalf of the charity. On hearing of the amount raised, Mr Taylor said: “Guide Dogs are absolutely delighted to receive such a superb donation. The Concert was of an extremely high standard and most enjoyable. Everyone who took part is very talented, and to raise such a large amount of money is an outstanding achievement indeed. This sizeable donation will help Guide Dogs provide mobility and freedom to blind and partially sighted people. We also campaign for the rights of people with visual impairment, educate the public about eye care and fund eye disease research. On behalf of everyone at Guide Dogs, I’d like to say a big thank you and very well done to all involved at the High School of Dundee.”