CHARITY PARTNERS WITH CHILDREN'S TV PRESENTER ANDY DAY FOR SCHOOLS CHALLENGE
Cookham mum Emma de Ujfalussy has been volunteering with International Children’s Charity, Angels, which has teamed up with children’s TV presenter Andy Day to launch the ‘Angels Welly Beat Schools Challenge’.
One school will win the chance to star in the music video of a specially written song called Angels Welly Beat, which will go on general release, and another will win a visit from Andy for an assembly takeover!
The AIm Launched in 2006 to enfranchise the world’s poorest children through the power of music, Wokingham-based Angels has created a ‘Pop Up’ school within an informal settlement in South Africa, where the children, all of whom are vulnerable, spend the majority of their time on the streets. Angels has created a three-step programme to return the children to mainstream school. First the children are fed and then they are taught according to a musical phonics-based programme to re-engage them with learning. The third and final step is the provision of ‘Angels bags’, incorporating tiered educational resources, clothing and toiletries; essential kit for a return to school. This campaign aims to return 1,000 children to school. £10 = 1 bag = 1 child back to school
The Challenge
Open to all UK pre and primary-age schools and fronted by children’s idol, Andy Day, the ‘Angels Welly Beat Schools Challenge’ is designed to unite UK children with those in South Africa for an incredible journey through creative music, and raise money to fund Angels Bags and the essential feeding and education programme.
Along with Andy, TV music producers Rob and Dan, from Bunkersonix, have written the ‘Angels Welly Beat’, a song based on the old South African gumboot tradition that was historically used in the mines as a form of communication during Apartheid. Schools will be challenged to perform the chorus in their welly boots and in the most inspiring way possible, using their bodies, musical instruments or even recycled materials. Andy will pick the most creative video posted to a secure section of the Angels website and that school will win the opportunity to feature in the music video of the song. The school that raises the most money will receive a visit from Andy who will lead assembly that day – watch out teachers!
A teacher’s pack will be provided to all schools suggesting fundraising ideas around the themes of music and storytelling, and will encourage shared experiences with the children in South Africa. For example, UK children will be encouraged to host storytelling performances with grandparents, who are often the primary carers to vulnerable street children. The campaign offers schools the chance to achieve many of their national curriculum goals in a completely unique and inspiring way, and will run over terms 4 and 5 (approx. 23rd Feb – 22nd May) to allow flexible incorporation into lesson plans.
Andy says: 'I‘m really excited to be part of the Angels campaign as I truly believe education is the key. The children’s situation is desperate but if we can help free a child’s mind, inspire them creatively through music and give them hope, we have built the foundations for a different life path.’
To participate in the competition, the school’s headteacher or allocated school’s person must register before 2nd April 2015 at:
www.angels-charity.org
Also check out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KQEOA2r7gQ
