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Berkhamsted Group | 26.02.2018

Epic improvised performance raises £3,000 for charity

Epic improvised performance raises £3,000 for charity

A ‘funkathon’ charity initiative by two Berkhamsted students created a buzz on Berkhamsted High Street this Sunday, 26 February.

James Green (Year 11) and Joe Beadle (Year 12) performed a live ‘funkathon’ of improvised music for four hours straight. They managed to create a carnival atmosphere, as crowds gathered to dance and enjoy the mix of modern music and classics from recent decades.

Crowds are gathering for the carnival atmosphere on #Berkhamsted High Street. Joe and James are 1 hour into a 4 hour funkathon for @YoungMindsUK pic.twitter.com/pO7wBVKC6n

— Berkhamsted School (@berkhamstedsch) February 25, 2018

The fundraiser was in aid of YoungMinds, a charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people in the UK.

With support from a group of committed students, they managed to collect over £1,200 in charity donations on the day. Combined with the online donations, the total currently stands at £3.000.

James and Joe declared the fundraiser in memory of their close friend Will Jordan.  YoungMinds was the chosen charity of Will’s family.

Following the event James posted “Thanks so much to everyone who came down to donate, dance, and enjoy the sunshine today in Berkhamsted. A fantastic day for a fantastic cause. We’re very proud indeed to announce that the collection buckets made £1,272 today. Combined with an amazing total online, we’re very happy to have made nearly £2,000 for a charity which is very close to our hearts. Thanks again to everyone involved – a day to remember.”

Joe and James’ 4 hour funkathon to raise money for Young Minds U.K. #berkhamsted #improvising #fundraising #teamberko

A post shared by Berkhamsted Schools (@berkhamstedschools) on

Heartfelt and inspirational

Comments of support flooded in on social media and via the JustGiving page:

Kathryn Jenkin “Well done both of you – you sounded really terrific yesterday outside Waterstones. Such energy and warmth on a freezing Sunday morning.”

Trish Grantham “Well done James and Joe! What a double act! and a very worthwhile cause.”

Caroline Spooner “Such a hugely important and worthwhile cause, well done boys.”

Richard Thompson, Headteacher of Berkhamsted Boys School said “Such a heartfelt, inspirational and innovative thing to do. The Berkhamsted Community is certainly proud of James and Joe.”

Diane Gault, head of fundraising at YoungMinds said “We can’t thank Joe and James enough for their fantastic fundraising efforts. It was a wonderfully creative way to raise money for us, and we hope they had lots of fun doing it!

“On average, three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health condition, and the money that has been generously donated will help us to continue our vital work improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people across the UK.”

Donate Online

Visit the funkathon JustGiving page to make a donation

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