BIC Volunteering
Christmas is a time of giving and a group of Year 12 pupils have been giving support to voluntary activities this year, coordinated by Mrs McAleenan along with the assistance of Bill Osborne from Volunteer Now, based in Downpatrick. The aim is to complete a Millennium Award which requires pupils to complete at least 35 hours of voluntary work over the course of the year.
Pupils have been working with Castleward and helped with the preparation of a Book Fair in October. They helped to design a poster and organised a book collection throughout the school. In total the group gave 56 hours of voluntary service. This was a great effort and helped to raise over £3,700 for the ongoing work in Castleward.
The volunteers were also involved in a bag pack at the Asda store in Downpatrick which helped to raise money for the charity organisation Homestart. This is an organisation which offers regular support, friendship and practical help to families under stress.
Pupils have had the opportunity to visit the Ulster Wildlife Trust at Crossgar and Tools for Solidarity in Downpatrick. In December the group are organising the collection of food items in school to make up Christmas hampers for the elderly in the Downpatrick area.
