Rossall’s Got Talent
One school’s MAD night of entertainment has raised over £30,000 in 10 years for a local charity, writes Kate Ford
Part of the ethos of Rossall School in Fleetwood is that pupils recognise they are part of a community, whether inside the school, within the local area or on a global scale. Pupils are encouraged to engage with others and give back to the community wherever they can.
The school recognises the value of its Fylde Coast site and its vision states that pupils should ‘be outward-reaching for the benefit of our whole community’. Pupils are encouraged to look beyond the school grounds and make the most of opportunities to build links locally.
One way this manifests itself is in the school’s fundraising efforts to support local charities. In September 2018, one of the senior boys’ houses at Rossall celebrated 10 years of fundraising in support of Donna’s Dream House, a Blackpool-based charity which provides free family holiday experiences for seriously ill children and teenagers.
Since they started supporting Donna’s Dream House in 2008, the boys of Mitre Fleur de Lys House (MF House) have raised more than £30,000 for the charity, and plan to continue this house tradition in years to come.
Their main fundraising event is an annual show every autumn called the MF MAD Night (a night of Music, Art, Drama and Dance), in which every member of the house has a role. The night requires many hours of preparation, which the boys fit in around their studies and other activities.
“It involves lots of hard work as every MF boy wants to put in a perfect performance,” says Nancy Fielden, marketing manager at Rossall. “But it’s worth it because the show is always hugely entertaining, and it raises valuable funds for a worthwhile cause.”
This year’s show was hosted by MF Houseparent Mr Krishnan Pillai and friend of Rossall, Mr Andy Mitchell. Like a true comedy duo, they delivered plenty of laughs between introducing the various acts of the night which was packed with music, comedy and dance.
Each member of MF House took part, some performing on their own and others in groups.
There was an impressive rendition of ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’, from Toy Story, on the grand piano and a very amusing version of James Corden’s popular carpool karaoke, complete with cardboard cut-out car and array of ‘celebrity guests’.
It was the all-house performances that really stole the show, though, opening the evening with a rousing interpretation of ‘The Greatest Showman’ and bringing things to a close with a group dance to a melody of popular tunes.
Headmaster, Mr Quartermain said: “I am incredibly proud of the boys’ commitment to this wonderful charity; Len and Barbara Curtis, founders of Donna’s Dream House are two of the most inspiring people I have met since moving to the Fylde Coast.”
“Whilst we were treated to a night of merriment and laughter, children and their families are able to make happy memories at Donna’s Dream House.”
