More than £130k raised as Hymers College Giving Day exceeds expectations

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Pupils celebrating Giving Day at Hymers College

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Hymers College has hailed its second annual Giving Day an outstanding success after more than £130,000 was raised to provide life-changing educational opportunities for talented young people.

More than 100 donors supported the 36-hour fundraising campaign in aid of the John Hymers Bursary Scheme, with 70 per cent making a donation for the first time.

The total comfortably surpassed the £85,000 raised during the independent Hull school’s inaugural Giving Day last year, and will enable even more academically gifted young people from lower-income families to benefit from a Hymers education.

The campaign united pupils, parents, staff, successful alumni – known as ‘Old Hymerians’ – and supporters through a packed programme of fundraising activities, including market stalls, a bake sale, sponsored challenges and a spectacular colour run involving almost 700 pupils from the junior school through to sixth form.

Headmaster Justin Stanley also played his part by taking on the East Yorkshire Half Marathon, alongside biology and chemistry teacher Dr Peter Sowter and Year 7 form tutor and games teacher Ellie Bateman, raising £12,000 towards the overall total.

Mr Stanley said: “We are absolutely delighted by the way in which the Hymers community came together and got behind all the activities that pupils and staff organised.

FUNDRAISER: Almost 700 pupils took part in a colour run at Hymers College as part of Giving Day

“We were overwhelmed to not only surpass last year’s figure, but to absolutely blow it out of the water and reach the grand total of £130,000.

“We had a lot of fun, but we were also doing this for a serious purpose, and all the money raised will go towards providing a transformative Hymers education for students who would otherwise not have that opportunity.

“The fact that so many people were inspired to donate for the first time by what pupils and staff were doing on Giving Day is extremely gratifying.  

“I just want to thank everyone who donated – thank you, thank you, thank you!”

On running the half marathon, he added: “It was great to play a small part myself.

“I’m not sure I could have done it without being spurred on by Miss Bateman and Dr Sowter – but I’m pleased I did!”

The John Hymers Bursary Scheme reflects the vision of the school’s founder, whose ambition was to make an outstanding education accessible regardless of financial circumstances.

FINALE: Giving Day at Hymers College culminated in a spectacular colour run

Currently, around 80 academically gifted pupils aged between ten and 18 receive support through the scheme, with bursaries awarded according to individual need and, in some cases, covering the full cost of school fees.

Emily Pennack, head of development at Hymers College, said: “The response to this year's Giving Day has been absolutely overwhelming. To see so many people come together to support a cause that means so much to the whole Hymers community has been incredibly moving.

“Raising more than £130,000 is a phenomenal achievement and it shows that more and more people believe in the importance of opening the doors of a Hymers education to talented young people, whatever their background.

“This support will make a genuine, lasting difference to the lives of young people and their families, creating opportunities that simply would not otherwise exist. Every donation, large or small, helps us continue John Hymers’ vision of ensuring ability and potential are never limited by financial circumstances.”

Old Hymerian Arthur Weston was one of those who donated.

He said: “From the age of ten, my whole life has been the result of a generous bursary.

DONATION: ‘Old Hymerian’ Arthur Weston

“Brought up in a one parent family, my mother could not have afforded to send me to Hymers between 1955 and 1962, had it not been for the financial support I received from East Riding County Council’s Education Committee.

“As a boy from Cottingham, Hymers gave me the confidence to dare mighty things, to broaden my horizons and to push myself in every way, both academic and sporting, to compete and to succeed in areas I had previously regarded as beyond my reach.

“Importantly, Hymers also instilled in me a sense of civilised values and behaviour which I, in turn, have been able to impart to my own children and grandchildren.

“I have no doubt that their own prodigious successes – in the arts, in business and in medicine – are grounded in the all-embracing education I received at Hymers.

“Long may this outstanding school flourish and continue to give immeasurable opportunities to deserving young pupils, not only in the immediate future, but also in the days I will not see.”