About A Shining Light
A Shining Light is a school-based community charity at Howden Secondary School, East Yorkshire. The school is divided into five student houses: Johnson, Simmonds, Turing, Mandela and Wilberforce. Voted for by the students, all houses donate money to A Shining Light throughout the school year through various fundraising activities such as non-uniform days and charity bake sales.
The idea for A Shining Light was conceived by one of the school’s senior leaders and Luke’s former teacher Ryan Gardiner. Ryan has worked at the school for over 12 years and taught Luke for PE as well as coaching his school football team for five years, the last team in the school’s sporting history to win a major trophy at the time for a number of years.
Beyond fundraising
As well as raising money for frontline NHS services and Teenage Cancer Trust, we also want to use A Shining Light as an educational platform to educate Howden’s young people about cancer, to raise awareness and to teach them to take care of each other and spot the signs as early as they possibly can. We feel it’s our responsibility to inspire change in people’s attitude towards their physical and mental health and to give others the confidence to seek help and assurance.
While Ryan takes care of the charity in school, he’s assisted by Luke’s parents Chris and Joanne and his sister Cassie out in the community to grow it further along with Luke’s friends Will, Ben and Ellie. Over the last few years they have organised dozens of public events in Luke’s honour.
The charity also reaches out to local businesses to become a friend of A Shining Light, and with a huge number already on board, everyone is confident of raising even more money to support local and regional projects.
A SHINING LIGHT
Our aims
Raise awareness for TCT
Teenage Cancer Trust offer expert care and support for every young person facing cancer in the UK. They have dedicated facilities and events specifically aimed at young people.
Educate young people
With the help of TCT's resources, we teach the pupils at Howden School the five common cancer signs to look out for, so they know when to get checked.
Raise funds
We aim to support NHS frontline services and plug the gaps that Teenage Cancer Trust can't. When rising costs force them to say no, we're able to say yes. Your donation matters.
Be a part of your community
Partnering with local businesses and organising fundraising events from football matches to walks to car boot sales... we are determined to be a visible part of our community in Howden and the surrounding areas.