‘The Mustard Seed Project’ is a Ruddington fundraising group set up by James Peacock Infants School teachers Sally Squires and Jayne Henson. It was inspired by their visit to Uganda in the Summer of 2016 which “taught us that a tiny seed can produce amazing results”.
Their aims are to raise funds to provide clean water, food and an education for children in Teso, Uganda, by bringing the local community together in fundraising for, and establishing links with, the community and schools in Teso. During “Project Teddy” last year they sent children a toy to love as well as raising money for porridge and bricks for a new school. The “Knickers for Knowledge Fashion Show” held at St Peter’s Junior School in March this year raised over £5,000 and took donations of hundreds of pairs of knickers and bras – which have now been sent to the women and girls of Teso. There was also a fundraising “Beetle Drive” at St Peter’s Church.
As the building of the school is now almost complete, The Mustard Seed Project’s focus has moved to supporting children to attend, and giving them access to resources once they get there. In partnership with Shoe Aid UK, they are currently asking for donations of pairs of shoes for the families they support in Uganda. Charlene Robinson says: “All types of useable shoes will be accepted, from flip flops to wellies, school shoes to slippers, ballet pumps to football boots. And don’t worry about the size – little kids grow up to be big kids, and parents need shoes too!” Donations of footwear can be made at the St Peter’s School “Summer Fair” on Saturday the 1st of July but there are also shoe drop-off points currently at both Ruddington’s schools.
Also now on sale is a fundraising CD called “Sing Around The World” just recorded by the pupils of James Peacock School and St Peter’s School Choir. It features songs from the UK and Africa, and even a song or two from the children in Uganda that they support. You can watch a video of the children recording it >>HERE<<.
Charlene also revealed to RUDDINGTON.info: “We are getting a team together to run the Robin Hood Marathon – full, half or mini – in September. A sponsorship page will go live soon. More runners are welcome to help us raise money to send a shipping container to Udanga later this year. The container will be filled with furniture, equipment and supplies for the new school. One hundred yellow t-shirts (like those at JPS) have been bought to be embroidered with the mustard seed logo and inscribed with ‘Tisai Primary School – a small seed can go a long way’. We will also be sending donated shoes from the summer fairs for the children and their families.”
Additionally there’s a special ‘Uganda Day’ on the 4th of July for JPS pupils during which each child will paint a pebble that will be used to pave a special path to be unveiled at the school as part of its 50th birthday celebration. “We want to encourage children to think about their role in the world and to inspire them to make it a better place” explains Charlene.
Ruddington’s Mustard Seed Project is always open to offers of support and any new fundraising ideas. You can keep up with all the latest developments on their new website www.mustardseeduganda.com. You can also still find find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @mseedproject.
General donations of money can be made anytime via their JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sally-squires.
