The LOGS community may not be able to attend their regular classes right now but they have been putting their spare time to good use in helping their communities in these difficult times.

Year 9’s Connie Mathieson has been busy helping her mum deliver hot meals around Brighton two days a week to the young and vulnerable homeless people who have been put in temporary accommodation during the COVID 19 crisis when social distancing is so important. Connie and mum Rachel are doing this vital work through a joint venture with the Brighton and Hove council, the NHS and local charities.

Year 7’s Nat Stephens and his sister Daisy meanwhile, took it upon themselves to go to their local supermarket and buy two rucksacks worth of healthy snacks (and a few biscuits!) then walk a mile up the road to their old primary school where an NHS wellbeing centre has been set up. The staff said they were impressed how much they had managed to cram into their rucksacks!

Zain Agnihotri in Year 8 has been helping his dad to cook and deliver vegan soups to NHS workers. Every Tuesday and Friday they deliver 60 pots of delicious home-made soup to front line workers. Dad Minesh says: “Zain has been helping me with the labelling and packaging of the soups. Some labels are nice and straight, others not so straight!”

Paddy Warren from Year 11 have shown great initiative with a venture he has started in his home village, Hurstpierpoint. With GCSEs cancelled and seeking direction, Paddy set up a food delivery business for the locals. After delivering fliers, he approached local high street shops and local Facebook Covid-19 groups and provided a connection between the two for those who need to self-isolate or are vulnerable to the virus.

Mum Kerry said: “There has been an incredible amount of positive reaction and enthusiasm for his business and everyday he receives new calls from those requesting his services. Paddy is well practiced on observing the social distancing rules, is being generously tipped and even made it into the Mid Sussex Times with a mention from a local contributor. We are proud that he is becoming a great asset to our village in this important time.”

Daniel Bradford in Year 11 will be known to many for his trampolining prowess having won many junior titles. When he heard the local club where he trains, the Sky High Trampoline Gymnastics Academy, was in danger of closing though lack of funds after Covid 19 prevented it from holding a major fundraiser, he jumped into action. He decided to try and run 2.6 miles in 26 minutes on April 26 and to collect sponsorship to do it to pass onto the club. Having completed the circular route from home around Buxted, Pound Green and Etchingwood Lane to bring him back home, he has so far raised £293.52 through his Virgin Money Giving page.

Dan said: “I wanted to be able to show my support, the club and everyone involved in the centre are a big part of my life and they have always supported me to achieve my dream in becoming the best trampoline gymnast I can be.  It’s so important to give back to the club so it will be there in the future for everyone.”

The Sky High founder Stella Jackson said: “We have been blown away by the response from our Club members in taking part in the 2.6 Challenge, organised by the event management team for the London Marathon, with the idea of raising millions to save the UK’s charities.  Having had to close on 21st March as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Club’s income was cut off in an instant, being left in a very precarious financial position.  The funds raised by all those who took part in the challenge on 26th April goes an enormous way to securing the centre’s future and we are extremely grateful to them all.”

On the last day of the spring term, Ivy and Alfie Prior from Year 2 and 4 respectively, agreed between themselves to wear their school uniform as they did their schoolwork from home in exchange for a £1 each – which they wanted to give to the NHS. Mum and dad Nicki and Dan topped it to £10 each and the children donated it to the NHS (see pictures!).

And finally… news that LOGS parent and life coach Alisa Salamon has been providing free one-to-one and group online mental health coaching for NHS key workers. She said: “I provide a space for them to share their feelings and experiences of working on the frontline and all that this entails. I help them develop strategies to increase their resilience at this worrying time and support them to look ahead and stay positive.”