Charity Week at Portsmouth High School is back in full force this week. Entirely masterminded by the sixth form, the annual fundraising week has been a highlight of the school year for over 30 years.
Events this week, involving both pupils and staff, include a fancy dress parade, a lip sync battle, a talent show, quizzes and games and the renowned annual netball match between the High School and boys from Portsmouth Grammar School, all culminating in the finale of the Fashion Show running across the last two evenings.
Head Girl, Katie, explained: ‘This year we are supporting The Lily Foundation, a charity helping to improve the lives of patients and families affected by mitochondrial disease. This is a genetic condition that affects the function of the mitochondria inside our cells. Mitochondria produce 90% of the energy in our bodies so if you have a mitochondrial disease your cells aren’t able to produce enough energy which can lead to organ malfunction. It affects, most commonly, babies and young children.
‘The Lily Foundation was set up by Liz Curtis in 2007 in memory of her daughter, Lily, who passed away from the disease at 8 months old. The Foundation does essential work in supporting families of those affected by the disease and spreading awareness of the condition.’
‘I am so grateful to have been involved in organising this year’s Charity Week’, said Head Girl Katie, 18. ‘It’s truly a team effort, with the entire sixth form working together to make the week as special as possible and to raise as much money as we can for such a great cause. We have been planning Charity Week since the beginning of summer, so it is so exciting to see it all coming together. The staff have been incredibly helpful throughout these past few weeks, and they too are working hard behind the scenes to create their performances for the lip sync event and their dance number for the Fashion Show! The enjoyment of the school throughout the week will be incredibly rewarding. We can’t wait.’
Millie Hunter, an alumna of Portsmouth High School from the Class of 2013, suffered the tragic loss of her son Otto from mitochondrial disease.
‘I am so honoured that Portsmouth High School has chosen The Lily Foundation as their chosen charity, in memory of my beautiful son Otto,’ she said. ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting their work. You’re all amazing, and I’ve never felt more proud to be a PHS girl.’
Currently there is no cure but The Lily Foundation is working hard to change that. Important steps have been made to make the diagnosis faster, easier and less evasive and promising research into effective treatments is underway. The Lily Foundation does essential work in supporting families of those affected by the disease; spreading awareness of the condition and providing the link between medical professionals and patients.
Katie added: ‘Our lunchtime events involve engagement from both staff and pupils from all years and are always entertaining. The sixth form work together, organising everything from initial planning through to the content of each event as well as the finances, logistics and marketing. Everything we’re doing encourages imagination, organisation and a true sense of camaraderie.’
Mrs Ann Clark, an alumna from the Class of 1965 and a former teacher of the school, said:
‘The fashion show started in 1990 so is now in its 34th year. ‘I remember the sixth form coming up with the idea of a fashion show,’ she said. ‘Jean Hapgood, a local dance teacher, was brought in to do the choreography with the girls. I let them lead the arrangements but I remember it being so much fun.’
Alumna from the Class of 1999 and now Assistant Headteacher (Pupils) and Head of Sixth Form at Portsmouth High School, Mrs Katie Wood (nee Farnhill), added:
‘Charity Week 2024 is upon us and excitement levels have reached fever pitch over in our Sixth Form House. Every pupil is proudly wearing their Lily Foundation t-shirt and as a group they have already raised a huge amount of money for this wonderful cause, in partnership with one of our alumnae, for whom this charity is so special and important. We say that you are always a Portsmouth High School girl, even after you leave us in Year 13, so it has been particularly heartwarming to see present and past pupils working so warmly with one another with a united purpose. It certainly reinforces the strength of our network and highlights the many ways in which we focus on young women supporting and strengthening one another. I am so proud of our Sixth Form, who are being led in this week’s endeavours by the brilliant Head Girl Team. We are so looking forward to the week ahead, culminating in the fabulous Fashion Show on Thursday and Friday night.’
