Earlier this term, a pupil from King’s College, Taunton had the idea of raising valuable funds for charity at a time when many good causes have struggled to attract donations.
Sixth Form pupil Olivia is from a military family and her thoughts turned to helping the families of those currently serving in the Armed Forces as well as veterans. SSAFA, the armed forces charity, is well known for addressing such needs and Olivia was already familiar with their work. 
Deciding on the idea of a Home Clothes Day, Olivia and her friends encouraged everyone to wear their own clothes for one school day and to incorporate the SSAFA colours of red, light blue and dark blue into their outfit.
It was a great success and fun activity in what has been a time of limitations. Olivia invited everyone to donate £1 towards SSAFA and was delighted at reaching the impressive sum of £441. Subsequently, this was added to by generous family members and from the King’s Parents and Friends Association, totalling £1,029 at the end of the campaign.
Olivia said: “I had helped at SSAFA events when I lived in Cyprus and in Cheshire, and I understand what a great job the charity does. It made sense to try to help SSAFA Somerset.”
The money Olivia has raised will be spent within Somerset on clients who have a service connection and who need SSAFA’s help.
SSAFA Somerset Friends Committee Chair Sue Adams said: “This is really a terrific amount and I hope Olivia had as much fun counting all the donations, as she did not wearing uniform for a day! Not only has Olivia raised money for SSAFA, but she has also raised awareness about the charity and the work that it does particularly in Somerset.”
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