CHARITY WORK
Caring for our Local and Global Family
At St Oswald's Catholic Primary School, our mission is to Live, Love and Learn Like Jesus. This mission is at the heart of everything we do and inspires us to serve others with kindness, compassion and generosity. As a Catholic school, we believe that we are called to follow Christ's example by caring for those in need and standing alongside our brothers and sisters both locally and globally.
Through a wide range of charitable projects and fundraising initiatives, our pupils learn that faith is not simply something we talk about, but something we put into action. We strive to help our children understand that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a positive difference in the lives of others. Guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, we encourage our pupils to recognise their responsibility to care for God's world and support those who may be experiencing poverty, hardship or injustice.
Supporting our Local Community
Each year, our school community proudly supports the Living Waters Storehouse Food Bank through our Harvest collection. Families generously donate food and essential items which help local individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. By contributing to the food bank, our children learn the importance of sharing our blessings and caring for those who need our help.
CAFOD
We also participate in CAFOD's Family Fast Day appeals, supporting people experiencing poverty both at home and around the world. Alongside monetary donations, we invite families to donate food products which are passed on to the Living Waters Storehouse, further strengthening our commitment to supporting our local community.
SVP Christmas Toy Appeal
At Christmas, we support the SVP Christmas Toy Appeal, providing gifts for children whose families may be experiencing financial hardship. Our families donate new toys which help ensure that local children can experience the joy and excitement of Christmas morning. This appeal is especially meaningful as some beneficiaries are members of our own wider school community. It is a powerful reminder of how we can demonstrate Christ's love through practical acts of generosity and compassion.
Supporting Our Global Family
As part of our commitment to global solidarity, we actively support the work of CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. During Lent, our pupils participate in CAFOD's Big Lent Walk, combining prayer, sacrifice and action to raise money for communities around the world.
In 2026, our pupils achieved an incredible fundraising total of £1,740.79 by completing a sponsored CAFOD Marathon. Together, they ran the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles, demonstrating determination, teamwork and a genuine desire to help others.
Through experiences such as these, our children learn that they can make a real difference in the world and become active agents of change.
Supporting Derian House Children's Hospice
Our School Council regularly discusses ways in which our school can further support those in need. Following discussions with pupils, we are delighted to begin supporting Derian House Children's Hospice, a charity that provides care and support for children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Many members of our school community already participate in Derian House's annual Santa Walk, and our pupils felt strongly that St Oswald's should play a greater role in supporting this wonderful local charity. We look forward to developing this partnership and helping raise both awareness and funds for the hospice in the years ahead.
Faith in action
Our charitable work provides valuable opportunities for pupils to put our mission into action. Whether collecting food for families in need, donating toys at Christmas, raising money for international aid projects or supporting local charities, our children learn what it means to Live, Love and Learn Like Jesus.
We are incredibly proud of the generosity shown by our pupils, families, staff and parish community. Together, we seek to make a positive difference in the lives of others, showing faith in action and helping to build a more just, loving and compassionate world.
