insideKENT Magazine Issue 72 - March 2018 | Page 124
EDUCATION
Ronnie Philpott
‘WHISKERS FOR RONNIE’ RAISES OVER £600 FOR
MOTOR NEURON DISEASE ASSOCIATION
STAFF AND PUPILS AT DOVER COLLEGE WERE SET A CHALLENGE BY THEIR
HEADMASTER TO GROW BEARDS IN JANUARY TO RAISE OVER £500 FOR THE
COLLEGE’S CHARITY, THE MOTOR NEURON DISEASE ASSOCIATION (MNDA).
Devastated by the loss of Ronnie
Philpott, former Dover Mayor
and the college’s independent
listener, pupils and staff have set
about finding ways in which the
college can raise £10,000 for the
charity this year. of Dover College, speaking of
his pride in his pupils and
colleagues. “It’s been good fun,
although it has turned out that
some pupils are far more
successful at growing beards
than some staff!”
Eight members of staff and
seven pupils took part in the first
challenge of 2018, and by the
end of the month had raised
over £600 for the charity. In
February, pupils and staff took
part in a ‘100 miles challenge’,
and are charged with walking,
running or jogging 100 miles
in a month – or just over 5.5km
a day. Ronnie passed away in May
2017 after bravely fighting her
illness.
“January can be a dull month,
so it seemed a good time for
baby-faced, clean-shaven men
to publicly demonstrate their
support for the charity and
determination to raise money,”
said Gareth Doodes, headmaster
124
“Ronnie was an inspiration to us
all and helped to cement the link
between the college and the
town,” Gareth added. “We think
she would have enjoyed the
spectacle of this, and if it means
we have managed to keep her
memory alive, then it’s worth
the itching and the daily look of
horror from my wife. February’s
challenge ensured all pupils and
staff at Dover College - from the
youngest to the oldest - can do
their bit, and doing our bit is
something we will continue to
do throughout the year.”
Dover College Whole School Open Morning:
Saturday 24th March 2018
Families are welcome to join the
Whole School Open Morning, which
offers an opportunity to speak to
teaching staff, parents and pupils
about all aspects of life at Dover
College, including life in our Junior
and Senior schools; scholarships and
bursaries; boarding options; facilities
and pastoral care; and plans for the
future of Dover College.
Alternatively, to book a visit or taster day, or to request an information
pack about Dover College, please call admissions by telephoning
01304 244522, or emailing [email protected].
Think differently, think Dover College.
www.dovercollege.org.uk
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