5000 students mark World Mental Health Day with inspirational charity partnership

Some 5000 students, staff, parents and carers marked World Mental Health Day by launching their inspirational new charity of the year.

The six schools of The Priory Learning Trust (TPLT) are helping to boost the mental health of thousands of 11 to 25-year-olds in Somerset by supporting In Charley’s Memory as its official charity of the year.

Pupils and students of TPTL gathered for a celebration launch at St Anne’s Church Academy in West Wick to officially mark the partnership, accompanied by students from the Jill Dando News Centres at the schools.

They also gave a cheque for nearly £20,000 to Weston Hospicecare which was last year’s charity of the year.

In Charley’s Memory is a rapidly expanding charity which helps the mental wellbeing of hundreds of 11 to 25 year olds in Burnham, Highbridge, Weston and across Somerset, encouraging, training and giving ongoing counselling support for as long as needed.

ICM will now be helped by all schools in The Priory Learning Trust, just over five years since former The King Alfred School Academy teenager Charley Marks took his own life aged 18.

ICM Operations Manager Dawn Carey said: “We are incredibly thrilled that the 5000 students that are part of The Priory Learning Trust will be helping us this year.

“The demand for our services is rising rapidly and the more finance we get the more young people we can help.”

The schools in TPLT are Priory Community School Academy, Worle Community School Academy, St Anne’s Church Academy, Castle Batch School Academy and Pawlett Primary School Academy.

Principal Nathan Jenkins of TKASA said: “This inspirational charity is very close to all our hearts and we are delighted to be helping it again with all the schools in our trust.”

Neville Coles, Executive Principal of TPLT, said: “In Charley’s Memory is a wonderful charity and we are so excited to be able to partner with it in this way. Last year we raised £20,000 for Weston Hospicecare and we hope this year to once again raise large amounts of money for a brilliant cause.”

If you need support from the charity call or 01278 557490 or see www.incharleysmemory.co.u