On Wednesday 12th July we will be having our annual Smile For Joel day. Joel Richards was an ex-student who tragically lost his life along with his Uncle, Grandfather and 27 other British tourists in the Tunisian terrorist attack of 2015. Since then, his mum Suzie and brother Owen have set up a charity in their honour called the Smile For Joel charity. We all miss Joel greatly and try to do an event each year to raise money for this amazing charity.
Joel was a former 6th form student from 2011-13. While at Wood Green he was a model student, who was enthusiastic, hardworking and conscientious, a natural leader and everyone’s friend. Joel’s was an inspirational student in many ways, he lived life to the full and took on every opportunity available to him both inside and outside of school to inspire sport. By the age of 18 Joel had already become a level 4 referee and was well on his way to becoming a referee at the very highest level. But Joel’s motivation in sports didn’t stop there, by setting up the Birmingham FA Youth Council at Ray Hall Lane Birmingham, he became chairman and motivated young people to take up sport in schools and clubs. He worked on many projects within schools delivering Youth Empowering Workshops, Football Futures and fund raising events.
What is the Smile For Joel Charity?
Smile For Joel is a fundraising charity supporting families torn apart by murder and terrorism, raising awareness to safety abroad and the Prevent programme.
All money donated to the charity supports bereaved families affected by murder and manslaughter across England and Wales.
Support the charity offers:
Providing respite, including a much-needed short break holiday to help families strengthen their relationship.
Providing financial assistance to help pay for necessary items such as utility bills and special gifts for families who are financially impacted by their loss.
Specialised counselling to help families cope with their loss.
Our aim is to make families feel loved and not alone #makingsmiles
What can you do to help?
On Wednesday 12th July it will be a non school uniform day. But you must wear sportswear. Please bring in your £1 donation for wearing your own SPORTS clothes. Football tops, joggers, shorts etc. NO JEANS. (If you have PE on this day you must wear suitable footwear for sport i.e. no converse or vans).
Buy a Smile For Joel wristband (remember wristbands cannot be worn to school unless it is a non school uniform day). Sixth Form students will be selling them every break in Hughes Foyer starting from Thursday 6th.
Guess how many …. In a jar. 50p a go. Sixth Form students will visit forms Monday 3rd July to Friday 7th Winning guess gets a £20 Amazon voucher.
Wednesday 12th July – Break – cake sale in Hughes Foyer
Wednesday 12th July – lunchtime will be ONE hour long 12.40pm – 1.40pm
Sponge the teacher – 50p a go and £1 for 3 sponges.
Watch the Teachers Vs Sixth Form Student football match.
Make Wood Green and Joel proud by really supporting this day and ensuring families like Joel’s get the support they need.
