How you can help BEA
Bansang Educational Appeal raises money through regular giving, donations and fundraising events.
1. Sponsor a student – from only £7.70/mos
We are always interested in hearing from people who would like to sponsor a child at secondary level for 3 years if possible.
The cost of each year does vary slightly but we have averaged this out over the three years of senior secondary level schooling. Sponsorship covers provision to allow the student to attend school and access learning materials, which is £7.70/month for 36 months.
There is also an option to provide lunch for your student. The cost of this is £11.15 per month.
(calculations based on D73/£)
2. Support a project
If you prefer you can contribute to a project.
Currently we are working towards renovating a classroom at the Bansang Upper Basic School to become an IT lab and to complete the kitchen at Sukuta Lower Basic School.
3. Donate funds
If you would like to help a student but cannot commit to sponsorship we can use donations to provide materials for lower and upper basic school students.
Sponsorship and Donations can be made by clicking the links above for Virgin Money Giving or PayPal.
If you prefer you can send a cheque, arrange a bank transfer or set up a standing order.
The forms for standing orders, sponsorship information and gift aid (if you pay UK tax BEA can claim tax back on your donations) can be downloaded and sent back to us via Email or post to;
5 Byron Drive, Wickham Bishops, Witham, Essex, CM8 3ND
Standing Order Form If you would like to hold a fund raising event please do contact us
Local groups and schools also arrange their own charity events to support the appeal. We are able to provide information and give talks to groups who are interested to hear more about Bansang and the work of the Bansang Educational Appeal.
Some examples of previous fundraising.
Car Boot Sales
Jemma and I have attended these at Boreham or Ardleigh. We sold items friends donated specifically for this.
These days were enjoyable despite the 6am starts on a sunday. Our success can be variable and very weather dependent!
Quiz Nights
In October 2017 we held a quiz at Christ Church Colchester which was well supported and raised £800 towards funding the container we sent the same month to Bansang. The church had donated chairs when they were replacing theirs.
St Bartholomew’s Quiz Night
For three years running from 2011 to 2013 BEA has organised a quiz night at the church hall in Wickham Bishops. The hall was packed out with quiz teams. Peter Ward was quizmaster and challenged the audience on all sorts of topics from ranks in the armed forces to olympic trivia.
Fun was had by all and over £600 raised for the charity each time. Due to lack of space we moved to the Wickham Bishops Village Hall in 2015 and in 2017 we held our quiz at Christ Church in Colchester.
Donate
If you have any items such as clothes, toys, bric-a-brac you’d like to donate please contact us.
Other fundraisers
At both Annabel’s 40th birthday party in 2015 and her wedding to Kwame in 2016 she asked for donations towards the appeal which raised around £1200 at each event.
St Bartholomew’s Church Fayre
We ran our children’s game stall on the church field at this event in June 2013 including ‘hook-a-duck’ and our card tombola. It was a lovely day and we were pleased to make nearly £100 during the afternoon. We have held stalls since at this event.
Spring Coffee Morning
This was held in early May 2013 at the church hall in Wickham Bishops. A wide range of cakes enticed people into the hall where a raffle, bring and buy stall, card stall and games entertained them. We had a successful morning raising nearly 400.
Windsor Half Marathon
In October 2012 Annabel, Jemma (both trustees) and George Myburgh took part in the Windsor half marathon, a picturesque 13 miles in Windsor Great Park. It was a great event to take part in and all completed the course, some in far better times than others. £1000 was raised for BEA.
Three Peaks Challenge
In July 2010 a group of people, including 2 trustees of the charity and the Principal of Bansang Senior Secondary School climbed the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales; Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within a 29 hour period. This was a difficult challenge for all of us taking part, but most of all for Ismaila Ceesay, Principal of BSSS. The Gambia’s highest elevation is a mere 53m, compared to Ben Nevis at 1344m . To find out more about the event and who took part visit our Three Peaks Challenge page.
Hurst Green Village Fete
We ran a stall in September 2010 at this fete in Surrey, painting faces and sellng home made fare of cupcakes, teatime treats jams and chutneys. We raised £184 for BEA