Brentwood Prep Incipe 2019

Brentwood School Preparatory 31 Charity Challenging MND This year at the Prep, one of the charities we have supported is the new, local charity ‘Challenging MND’. This was set up by Alex Gibson, a former UK athlete and rugby coach at Brentwood Rugby Club, after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The charity provides financial support and assistance to those diagnosed with MND to help them achieve experiences such as mountain climbs, parachute jumps and bungee jumps to name but a few, to make lasting happy memories for themselves and their families. Alex joined us at school to lead an assembly, giving a wonderful inspirational speech to our pupils and staff, explaining how he stays motivated even after his diagnosis of motor neurone disease, and illustrating the importance for us all to keep motivated, driven and always do our best. After this inspiring and thought provoking assembly led by Alex, Mr Whiskerd presented him with a donation from the Prep Charity Disco. The children had danced their socks off at this eagerly awaited occasion, and raised over a thousand pounds while having fun. Mr Whiskerd then revealed plans for the next event, a Sponsored Silence, organised by the School Council especially to support Challenge MND. This event, held at break time, was very popular with the teachers, and surprisingly enjoyed by the children too! They came up with many innovative ways of communicating and playing with their friends which did not involve speaking! Thanks to the unfailing and much appreciated support of the Prep parents, an overwhelming £5600 was raised which was very gratefully received by Alex. He would like to thank everybody for their astounding kindness and generosity. We have also supported several other local, national and international charities again this year. Thank you very much to the wonderful Prep community for all your thoughtfulness and support.