With a desire to give back to the local community, Eton College has always made charity engagement and fundraising a primary focus. 

This week alone, two charity events are scheduled, both using sport as a way to raise vital funds for worthy charities. Sport has long been understood as a powerful way to bring people together and support those in need.

In March last year a basketball event was held to raise money for the charity ‘Sport in Mind’. This charity looks to improve the mental health of children through sport, and ultimately transform their lives. As the UKs leading mental health sports charity, the organisation has had a big impact in promoting physical activity and has allowed many to recognise the link between exercise and improved mental health. 

After nearly two months of preparation and planning, 80 boys collected together and played 20 games, some of them competitive and some of them not! Either way, it was a resounding success with over £800 being raised for this great cause.  

This week’s fundraising will use the same tested formula but with Futsal and Golf. On Sunday 3rd March near to 100 students will be participating in a Futsal event and Caspar Whitwam, one of the organisers is particularly excited by the challenge.  “I am so impressed by the work of Sport in Mind and know that the participants feel the same way.  It’s so much easier to raise money as we are having fun at the same time!”.

The organising team know it’s a big logistical challenge to run so many games over a short period, but they are confident that their efforts will be worth it. 

The golf tournament running this weekend will raise money for Lymphoma Action UK, the UK’s leading lymphoma charity.  Alex Duguid, one of the event organisers stated that he is “so pleased to be helping such an incredible charity”. 

Over the past 35 years the charity has provided essential support and information to thousands of people. The event has gained a lot of interest and is being run with same objective; making a meaningful difference to those in need, through the power of sport.