Portsmouth High School Head Girls launch support for chosen charity

Portsmouth High School’s Head Girl team are delighted to officially announce that they are supporting The Haven, a national charity offering breast cancer support designed for the individual, as their Sixth Form charity this year.

The Head Girl team will spearhead fundraising activities throughout the year to generate money and raise awareness of their chosen charity.

In a moving assembly to the whole school, the team explained why they have chosen The Haven to support.

‘One in eight women are at risk of developing breast cancer in their life-times,’ said Head Girl, Genevieve Wilks. ‘The number of diagnoses in the UK each year is around 50,000 so there are a lot of people who need specialist help and support.

‘We decided to choose the Haven because it is a cause that has a positive effect on breast cancer sufferers. Breast cancer effects many people’s lives and we believe that the Haven is a charity that the whole school will get behind. The Head Girl team are very excited to start fundraising for this worthwhile cause.’

A diagnosis of breast cancer can be frightening and the treatment gruelling. Surgery, hair loss, radiation, chemotherapy and medication can all take its toll. Medical treatment is necessary but there is so much more needed than this and that is where the Haven can help.

The Haven offers advice on practical matters like money and work, help combatting stress, exhaustion and nausea, advice on healthy eating and exercise. And above all, there will always be someone to talk to.

Their trained professional nurses, therapists, counsellors and advisers listen to individual concerns and give all the practical, emotional and physical support needed in a tailor-made package.

Their support is free of charge and available in the beautiful Haven centres.  The nearest to Portsmouth is in Titchfield.

Portsmouth High School’s Charity Week will take place in November 2016.  It has been running for over 25 years and is always organised entirely by the Sixth Form.  The week is made up of talent shows, live music events, an annual netball match versus boys from Portsmouth Grammar School and other events. It culminates in a two night Fashion Show where the Sixth Form use business acumen and entrepreneurial skills to negotiate with local shops and liaise with local businesses to put on the show.