Perse Giving Day

GIVING DAY

This coming Founder’s Day, 25 March 2022, we are proudly continuing the legacy of Dr Stephen Perse by holding our first ever Perse Giving Day. This will be a 36-hour fundraising event, in which we will invite the entire Perse community – pupils, alumni, staff, parents, and friends – to come together in support of bursaries and outreach.

By participating in activities, challenges and events, the Giving Day will be an amazing opportunity for us to raise funds for bursaries and outreach and to thank all those who make a contribution to The Perse. The Day will celebrate the act of giving and the spirit of generosity that is so important for everyone’s success and happiness. The School motto, ‘qui facit per alium facit per se’, or, ‘those who do things for others, also do them for themselves’, expresses this beautifully. We hope that, through the Giving Day, every member of the Perse community will be inspired to share and get involved with the fantastic work that goes on at the School and beyond.

On Perse Giving Day, we will be raising funds for our bursary and outreach programmes, so that we can continue to provide a Perse education to talented young people, who would not otherwise be able to benefit from the fantastic start to life that the School provides. The bursary fund supports gifted pupils in becoming invaluable members of their communities. For instance, Tom (OP), is now studying at university. Here is what he has to say about the importance of bursaries:

“For me, the Perse bursary scheme is all about giving children choice. Because I received a bursary, I was given the opportunity to play rugby, hockey, cricket and basketball, to learn classical guitar to a high level, and to flourish academically in my favourite subjects. The benefit of receiving a bursary to The Perse is that it opens up all forms of opportunities. My bursary opened up numerous doors for me and allowed me to develop into the individual of my choosing.”

Shaun De Boo (1976) talks about why donating to The Perse’s bursary fund is so important to him:

“My reason for supporting the bursary fund is simple – I want others to have the opportunities that I had, regardless of their background or circumstances. My own Perse education taught me much more than the syllabus or how to pass exams. I was inspired by the dedication and encouragement of the staff, the community atmosphere, the sports and the Perse Players! The bursary fund enables young people to receive a Perse education whatever their circumstances. I encourage all OPs to support it.”

Our outreach programme complements our bursary work by extending a Perse education to the wider Cambridgeshire community. Staff and students deliver tutorial and enrichment lessons to 24 local statemaintained schools. One primary school outreach participant said: ‘I am writing to say infinite thank yous [sic] for teaching music. It is my favourite lesson.’ Read more about our outreach work on page 5.

We will also be sharing information and testimonials about the important work we do, engaging our pupils in fundraising challenges, and providing key campaign updates, including exciting match-funding opportunities and fundraising targets. The Giving Day will allow us to show how the simple act of giving can be an enormous force for good.

Friday 25 March 2022 – Save the date! Over the next few months, we will be releasing more information about this exciting event. If you would like to become an early participant, here are some ways you can get involved:

Become an Ambassador

We are looking for enthusiastic OPs, parents, and friends of the School who would like to have a real say in creating the most impactful Giving Day possible, and who are willing to help spread the word. If you are Proudly Perse and would like to know more, please contact us at perseado@perse.co.uk.