The Business Services Team at Outwood Grange Academies Trust has raised over £1,500 to help fund holiday hampers for a student raffle.

The team, which was inspired by happiness speaker Shonette Bason-Wood, decided to take on the challenge of raising money for holiday hampers, managing to fundraise £1,700. The money was put towards 58 holiday hampers which were raffled off to students across the Outwood Family.

Katy Bradford, Chief Operating Officer at Outwood, said: “Shonette delivered an inspiring session to our business and finance teams last year, as part of her #spreadthehappiness campaign.

“Part of her session involved her discussing how she was raising money for hampers to help tackle ‘holiday hunger’ and support families who normally have access to free school meals during the academic year.

“At Outwood, we always strive to put students first and this fundraising drive to provide holiday hampers for those students that need them is just another example of us putting our vision into practice.”

A highlight of the team’s fundraising was a superb solo cycle from Chief Financial Officer Ben Waterman. Ben hopped in the saddle in Wakefield and cycled over 350 miles to Ghent, in Belgium, before cycling back to Wakefield.

As well as Ben’s fantastic contribution and the contributions from other colleagues across the Outwood Family, the fundraising efforts were also aided by some of Outwood’s partners.

Special thanks go to Civica, YPO, Saffery Champness LLP, Expense Reduction Analysts and Churchills.