A group of Year 12 students from Castle Rushen High School were the first school group from the Isle of Man to attend the ‘We Day UK’ event at Wembley SSE Arena held on Thursday 5th March.

The event involves young people coming together to make the world a better place. Over 12,500 people and 800 schools attended.

The event brings together world-renowned speakers and performers—from Sir Richard Branson and Martin Sheen to Mr. Probz and Shawn Mendes. It is not possible to buy a ticket to We Day the students from Castle Rushen had to earn them by taking on one local and one global fundraising action.

For the students at Castle Rushen it is more than a one-day event. ‘We Day’ is connected to their ASDAN CoPe level 3 qualification. Year 12 student Charlie Jordan said “it was both a very educational and inspiring day which we feel honoured to have been a part of”.
Sally Ashworth Key Stage 5 Team Leader for Creativity and Skills added “Attending this event has been a fantastic experience for our students and has equipped them with the tools needed to succeed academically, both in the workplace and as active citizens”.

Travel to the event would not have been possible without the support from sponsors which included several local families and ‘Wi-Manx’ the only Manx owned telecoms business. Kathryn Hodgson, who has been a supporter of Free the Children for a number of years through her work with Virgin Atlantic organised the sponsorship to allow the Castle Rushen students to attend. Kathryn said “The We Day Empowers our young people to create the change they want to see on a local and global scale. I was passionate about helping a group of young people from the Isle of Man to attend this event”.

The students at Castle Rushen are currently selling handmade Rafiki bracelets and every tutor group is collecting 20p coins in empty Smartie  tubes in continued support for Free the Children.