Sponsored Swim for Right to Play UK | Brooke Priory | Oakham

Brooke Priory School Sponsored Swim raises £1750 for Right to Play UK

Pupils at Brooke Priory School in Oakham have raised an impressive £1,750 for global children’s charity Right To Play through a whole-school sponsored swim.

Children of all ages took part in the fundraising challenge, swimming lengths to raise vital funds in support of Right To Play’s work transforming the lives of children in some of the most difficult places on earth using the power of play.

The fundraising effort culminated on Wednesday 6 May with a special cheque presentation to Andrew Hoy, Olympic champion equestrian rider and Right To Play Ambassador, on behalf of the charity. Andrew, who lives locally and whose children attend Brooke Priory School, attended the event to congratulate pupils on their achievement.

Matt Smith, Head of Sport at Brooke Priory School, said:
“We are incredibly proud of all our pupils for their enthusiasm and commitment in supporting Right To Play. They were all amazing during the sponsored swim week, displaying our school values in abundance, particularly handwork and resilience in the way they showed such grit and determination to complete the tough challenge. The sponsored swim brought together the whole school for a fantastic cause, and it has been inspiring to see the children so engaged in helping others around the world. Raising £1,750 is a wonderful achievement for our school community.”

Andrew Hoy, equestrian champion and Right To Play Ambassador, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the pupils at Brooke Priory School coming together to support Right To Play. Sport and play have the power to change lives, and the funds raised here will help children in some of the most challenging environments to gain a quality education and develop the critical life skills they need to thrive. I’m honoured to have been an Ambassador for Right To Play since 2015, and I’m especially proud to see a school so close to home making such a meaningful impact.”

Gillian McMahon, Executive Director at Right To Play UK, said:
“We are hugely grateful to the pupils, staff and families at Brooke Priory School for their incredible support. The funds raised will make a life-changing difference to children in our global programmes, helping us to use the power of play to protect, educate and empower children who face extreme challenges every day.”

Founded more than 25 years ago, Right To Play reaches millions of children each year across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The charity helps children living through conflict, poverty and discrimination to stay in school, resist exploitation, and heal from the trauma of war and displacement. 
  
Right To Play 
•    Right To Play protects, educates, and empowers children to rise above adversity using the power of play. The charity works with children in some of the most difficult places on earth, helping them to stay in school, resist exploitation, overcome prejudice and heal from the trauma of war and displacement. 
•    Founded over 25 years ago, Right To Play reaches millions of children each year in 13 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The charity harnesses play, one of the most fundamental forces in a child’s life, to help children dismantle barriers, embrace opportunities and develop the critical life skills they need to thrive. 
•    In 2024, Right To Play was able to reach more than 4.7 million children globally.
•    To learn more about Right To Play’s life-changing work and to donate, visit www.righttoplay.org.uk.