AS last minute orders for red roses are frantically placed and chocolates and champagne fly off the shelves, kind-hearted King’s School students turn the demand for Valentine’s Day gifts into a charity fund-raising opportunity.

Organised by the King’s School Sixth Form Charity Committee, the special Valentine’s Day sale will take place on February 14 and will sell a range of cakes, chocolates and sweets to staff and pupils. All of the funds raised from the sale will be donated to local charity Funny Blood.

Funny Blood, a not-for-profit organisation, was founded by Ruby Edwards to raise awareness of a rare blood condition suffered by her son Noah, called Platelet Function Disorders. Funny Blood is one of several charities selected by the Sixth Form Charity Committee to benefit from a proportion of the funds raised from a number of fund-raising events and activities that take place throughout the year.

Chaired by Sarah Le Marchand, King’s School Head of Sixth Form, the Charity Committee comprises 16 students from the Sixth Form and five members of staff.

“Helping others is important to all of the pupils at King’s. The Charity Committee is extremely popular and we are never short of volunteers!

“We meet every week to plan events and fund-raising activities. Students are enthusiastic and freely give of their time to organise events such as the Valentine’s sale,” said Mrs Le Marchand.

The Charity Committee also organises an annual Christmas party for the elderly residents of local Sheltered Housing and a summer garden party for the pupils at Fort Royal School.

Based in Wyld’s Lane, Fort Royal School supports the needs of children, aged two to 11 years, who have a range of physical, mental and learning disabilities.

The Charity Committee invites the whole school, its staff and helpers for a party in the summer term, which includes: dancing, music, a bouncy castle, magic show and a BBQ lunch.

“Each year the Sixth Form Charity Committee raises about £3,000 for local and national charities. This makes up a significant proportion of the total funds raised by the whole ofthe school. Last year alone the school raised a staggering £16,000 for charity,” said Mrs Le Marchand.