After plans for events to fund a new mental health facility at Carisbrooke College were dashed by pandemic restrictions, a student at the school has helped lead the way in reaching the school's fundraising target.
Following the completion of Mental Health First Aid training in partnership with the Youth Trust, the college wanted to work towards becoming an accredited Mental Health Secondary school.
To be able to do this a designated Mental Health Room, to give young people the space and time within the school environment to build on their resilience and emotional wellbeing, would need to be introduced.
Year 10 student, Macie Edkins-Wherry, with the support of her mum Dana, decided to hold a raffle in the hopes of raising some much-needed money to go towards the target of £3,000.
The raffle - which includes prizes from generous donors across the Island, including multiple Island businesses and ASDA - has so far raised approximately £1,300 towards the target.
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, Macie said:
"Obviously with the coronavirus lockdown, it's been really difficult for a lot of people.
"I'm a person who suffers with anxiety, and I've really felt it. I've felt that its been so hard being in lockdown, you just can't do anything.
"I said to my mum one day, that it would be good if we could raise some money to help people in school who are, and have struggled like I did."
Prizes include an Alexa Dot, vouchers for local eateries and pubs, bouquets, and hampers.
Speaking on behalf of Carisbrooke College, Year 10 leader, Charlotte Hookey, said:
"Even before the current pandemic, the demand for services such as Youth Trust and CAMHS was high and the wait could be a few weeks.
"The Mental Health and Wellbeing room is an opportunity for our young people to continue to access the school environment on their most challenging of days, in the knowledge that there is a quiet designated space for them to go to if they need to take some time out to process their emotions with a trained Mental Health First Aid member of staff.
"We are so incredibly proud of Macie for using the time during Lockdown to undertake this amazing fundraising event for the school.
"Macie is clearly able to see that sometimes life for our young people is incredibly difficult, and has actively sought to support the school in making our vision possible."
The raffle draw is set to take place tomorrow (Saturday) at 5pm, and will be streamed live on Facebook from Newclose Cricket Ground.
For more information on how to buy tickets, or donate a prize see the Facebook post here.
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