Broadlands students make a difference

STUDENTS at Lift Broadlands in Keynsham have raised £1,000 for the Mikey’s World charity through the national First Give social action programme.

Year 10 students took part in the initiative by researching community needs, selecting local charities, and delivering creative presentations to highlight important causes affecting their area.

The winning team supported Mikey’s World, a charity founded in memory of Mikey Roynon, which works to educate young people about the impact of knife crime and promote positive life choices.

The group delivered a standout presentation led by Jessy Thomson, Tamara Adams, Evie Mae-Williams and Ruby Mounty.

Special recognition was also given to Conrad Moon for bravely sharing a personal experience during the project, and to Lyla Marie-Wilson for stepping up as a leader within her group.

Following the final presentations, First Give awarded Mikey’s World £1,000. The charity then presented the school with an emergency bleed kit, which has now been installed outside the school for use by the wider community.

Students are also helping decide where further bleed kits could be installed in the local community using the remaining prize money.

Other participating charities, St Peter’s Hospice and Developing Health & Independence (DHI), each received £100 donations from the incoming chair of B&NES Council, Shaun Stephenson-McGall, in recognition of the students’ efforts and impact.

All three charities praised the students for their enthusiasm, confidence and commitment throughout the project, with Mikey’s World also expressing interest in future collaboration and inviting the winning team to present at a local workshop.

First Give is a national programme that helps students learn about social issues, work with local charities, and deliver social action projects that make a positive difference in their communities.

The school is now looking forward to taking part in the programme again next year, building on this year’s success.

Laura Stone, principal at Lift Broadlands, said: “We are incredibly proud of our Year 10 students for the way they embraced the First Give project. Their teamwork, creativity and commitment to making a difference in their community has been fantastic to see, and the impact they have achieved is something they should be very proud of.”

Hayley Ryall, Mikey’s mum and founder of Mikey’s World, said: “It was a real pleasure to be nominated by Lift Broadlands, and they did so well presenting Mikey’s World – it made me feel really proud.

“Mikey’s World has loved the students being involved. They are the community’s future and deserve to feel safe, equipped and aware of risks around them.”