Help by fundraising

Times are hard, and everyone has to watch the pennies. But children’s lives cannot be put on hold until the financial situation improves.

As a small charity School Aid India cannot afford to run expensive publicity campaigns to raise funds. Our website was donated, and the press have printed many articles about our achievements, but word of mouth has played an important part in our project and regular feedback from Darjeeling is much appreciated.

How can I fundraise?

Fund raising events have been organised and run by the trustees, but SAI relies heavily on the goodwill of its supporters who are willing to give time and energy to help change the lives of disadvantaged children in far away Darjeeling.

You can also support SAI by using Easyfundraising, an organisation that donates back to us when people make online purchases through their site. Most major retailers participate and we benefit without you doing anything other than starting your purchase on the easyfundraising page by clicking here.

Small Events

We depend on our supporters to use their ingenuity when running small events to raise funds for SAI. Please note we will do our best to help anyone contemplating such an event, providing support and advice. Ideas for events include:

 

  • Weekly coffee mornings where a small collection is made
  • Sponsored walks
  • Open gardens
  • Open a café to SAI
  • Invite Helen to give one off her fascinating illustrated talks to your group
  • Make hand made greetings cards
  • Some generous and ingenious supporters have turned a special celebration into an opportunity by requesting donations to SAI in lieu of more usual presents

Schools Participation

Our founder Helen Jones, herself an ex teacher, is more than happy to give illustrated talks or visit lessons and assemblies for children of all ages. Many children/young people themselves often then decide they want to help, and what began as an interest in India becomes a focus on people less well off than oneself. They have raised money by:

 

  • Non-uniform days
  • Collecting second hand clothes for resale
  • Donations at a Harvest Festival
  • Sponsored walks
  • Presentations for Interested Groups

A Special Shoutout

Congratulations to School Aid India Trustee Joanna Waterton (pictured left), who has ran the race of her life to raise money for Roseberry School Darjeeling.

Joanna completed the 22 miles including over 4000 ft of climbing  in the Swaledale event, raising over £4000 for SAI in the process. This would have been an amazing achievement for anyone, but it is a first for an amputee.

It is only 7 years since Jo lost her left foot and part of her left leg in an avalanche accident in the Swiss Alps and six years ago she was still on crutches. She was motivated to attempt the marathon by the plight of disadvantaged children who get such a poor start in life and as a Trustee she is well aware that School Aid India is really changing the lives of some of these children in Darejeeling.

What Your Donation Means

Every donation helps SAI provide better facilities for our students, here are some typical examples of costs that we incur on a regular basis. We have six classes with 20-25 children in each class.

£5 buys a waterproof storage box for books, needed in monsoon season

£22 buys uniform for one child giving them pride and identity

£50 pays for a wide selection of books for one class

£600 for a new laptop for classroom use

£2250 will pay a teachers salary for one year

Donate