October 8th 2017, we held the sixth annual Children on the Edge Chichester Half Marathon, raising a record-breaking £33, 294 for our work with vulnerable children around the world.

The event has been growing year-on-year and we were delighted to have a record 1160 runners register for this year's race in one of three popular events - the Half Marathon, Ten Miler and Team Relay. 

Organised in conjunction with Everyone Active, the event is one of our key fundraising events throughout the year. It is only made possible thanks to the support of our local sponsors; Montezuma’s Chocolates and Store Property who have generously supported the event each year since is was revived in 2012.

The race has become a popular date in the diary for runners across the South, especially with our challenging multi-terrain course over the Downs taking in the Trundle and Centurion Way.
 
Ben Wilkes, UK Director at Children on the Edge said:
 
“This year's race raised a record £33,294, which will make a huge difference to our work with vulnerable children. We are grateful to all our runners, sponsors and supporters who make the event possible and we continue to be blown away by the support we receive from the local community. It’s great to see the event growing year on year and we look forward to next year's race on Sunday 7th October!"

Children on the Edge would like to thank local businesses Chichester College, Covers, Evans Weir, Gnarly Tree, Harries Coffee, Krowmark Workwear, Natures Way Foods, The Run Company, South Downs Water and Wiley for all their support to make the event happen. We couldn't do it without them.

Along with our regular runners, we also had a fantastic team of runners all raising money for Children on the Edge as part of our Run for Refugees Team. Our 25 fundraisers raised an incredible £7,096 for our work with refugee children in Bangladesh and Lebanon. This included, Mrs Salmond Smith, Mr Bromfield & Mr Brittain, teachers from Prebendal School in Chichester, who took part in the Team Relay and raised £255.

​Nicky Hellard has volunteered at the Chichester Half Marathon for the past two years and this year decided to run instead. She didn't believe she could finish the race; but took on the challenge, trained hard and built her confidence each week with longer runs, raising £322 in the process.

When asked what she'd say to someone else thinking about fundraising for Children on the Edge she said: 
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"It is a great charity that does wonderful work right in the front line with the most vulnerable and overlooked children in the world. As charities go they are one of the best, the staff are dedicated and the overheads are extremely low".

We are enormously grateful to everyone who took part, raised money, or supported the event as a volunteer or spectator. We can't wait to see you again next year!

Do you want to take on a challenge for Children on the Edge? Find out how.

We're currently looking for a Trusts and Foundations Research Volunteer to help us for 1 day a week for 3 - 6 months in our offices in Chichester, West Sussex. Could you help? Or maybe you know someone who can?

Volunteering with Children on the Edge is a great way to support real and lasting change to the lives of vulnerable children. If you're looking for a career change, or a are a student or graduate who would like to get into International Development, then this volunteer role is a perfect opportunity to gain some valuable hands-on experience in the sector. Our own staff know only too well, that this type of experience can make a huge difference when applying for jobs with NGOs in the UK or abroad. As a small organisation, you will get the chance to really get 'stuck in' with our work, and understand what we do and how we do it. 

What's involved? 
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As Trusts and Foundations volunteer, you will spend time researching trusts, foundations and any other potential funding opportunities for Children on the Edge, from within the UK, Europe and internationally. You will be directly supporting our Grants Officer, Sarah, who makes applications to funders, reports on all our projects around the world and brings in vital funding for our work. By supporting Sarah, you will be making a direct difference to the lives of vulnerable children around the world and helping to ensure our projects are successfully funded.

As part of the role, you will develop an in depth understanding of Children on the Edge and our work around the world and for the right person, there is scope to write small funding applications and project reports.

You can find out more about the role and exactly what's involved in the Role Description.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an organised, methodical and enthusiastic individual, educated to A-level standard or higher. You'll need to have a basic understanding of, and an interest in the work of Children on the Edge, International Development and fundraising.. With excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and a proficiency in Word/Pages, Excel/Numbers and internet search engines, you'll be able to organise your work and use your own initiative and nouse to research potential funding opportunities. We'd love you to have an understanding of and some experience in using databases (e.g. Salesforce), but we can show you the ropes if not.

We'll provide plenty of support to get you started; and our lovely team in Chichester are great at making tea and providing biscuits to keep you sustained while you're with us. Our two office dogs, Otto and Monty will also make you feel welcome, especially around lunch time!

The nitty gritty

If you are interested in this role, please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter outlining how you fit the qualities and skills outlined in the role description before midday on 9th June 2017 to:

Sarah Collinson, Grants Officer: sarahcollinson@childrenontheedge.org

• Trusts and Foundations Research Volunteer
• 1 day per week, 3-6 months
• Application deadline: Midday 9th June 2017
• Interviews held: 19th June 2017
• Download the Role Description

  
If you'd an informal chat about the role, or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email Sarah Collinson on 01243 538530 |  sarahcollinson@childrenontheedge.org

Children on the Edge is based in Chichester. in West Sussex, and we are very lucky to have an incredible level of support from our local community, through individuals, schools, churches and businesses; who do so much to help us. Find out out how you can help too.

We really value our strong links with our local supporters and organisations (as well as our non-local supporters too, of course!). Unlike some larger charities, we can offer a unique and direct link between you and the projects we run with our partners around the world. For example, last September, Nuna Matar who leads our work in Lebanon visited Chichester from Beirut to update local supporters on how their support and fundraising efforts were providing education for hundreds of Syrian refugee children in the refugee camps in Bekaa Valley.

This week, our International Director, Rachel Bentley spoke at the city Cathedral’s AGM to give the people of Chichester an opportunity to find out more about our work and how they can play a bigger part in supporting our projects abroad.
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Chichester Cathedral Spokeswoman, Ruth Poyner, said:

"We are delighted that Rachel Bentley is spoke about the work of Children on the Edge at our AGM this week.  The charity works to support vulnerable children all across the world – and sometimes in less well-known areas.  Their important work supports these unseen children who are often living in truly desperate circumstances. Children on the Edge is a local charity with a long reach – offering the people of Chichester a way to directly support these vulnerable children overseas."

We currently work with children in Uganda, India, Burma (Myanmar), Lebanon and Bangladesh. At the Cathedral, Rachel highlighted our project in Lebanon, where we have set up five tent schools, providing education in safe spaces for 500 Syrian refugee children living in the camps of Bekaa Valley. Our partners in Lebanon are currently also making trips across the border to deliver supplies; food, fuel and blankets to 160 displaced Syrian families in Damascus. 

Our work in Lebanon, supporting Syrian refugees has generated an incredible level of support from Chichester Churches Together, and other local people. For example. enough money was raised last year in Chichester to fund an additional tent school in Lebanon, and a local group of families have also recently committed to raise £40 a month to support a Syrian family with food and fuel.

We're pleased that this project has resonated locally, and would love more people to support our work to help Syrian refugee children in Lebanon and displaced families within Syria.

As our Director, Rachel says:

"A lot of the media’s attention is on Syrian refugees in Europe, but the majority of those fleeing the conflict in Syria are residing on the borders in countries like Lebanon; where refugees make up a quarter of the population. It is here that Children on the Edge are focussing our efforts, providing education and trauma care for children who have known nothing but war their whole lives. Local people can help to directly support this project by making a donation to Children on the Edge. 

Children on the Edge are proud to be able to represent Chichester in our work around the world, and welcome any support from local individuals, organisations and business.

Find out how you can support us, through volunteering, fundraising or via your school, church or workplace, or contact Amy Rook, our Fundraising Officer on 01243 538530. 
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Chichester children have combined their talents to raise £10,138 for vulnerable children across the world, through a performance entitled ‘Spotlight on the Edge’.

Emily Dadson, Events organiser at Children on the Edge said “We can’t say thank you enough to everyone involved for giving their time, energy and talent to make ‘Spotlight on the Edge’ a reality. Both on stage and behind the scenes, so many people came together for one purpose, resulting in a fantastic show and an amazing amount raised for our work”. 
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The show was held on Sunday 24th of January, as part of the Chichester Festival Theatre’s Winter Season and all proceeds went to the work of Children on the Edge. 

The evening consisted of a colourful array of music, song and dance by some of the most talented children in our locality, coming together to make a difference to children globally.

The one-off cast of gifted local young people includes Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, Dance Innovation, Arabesque School of Performing Arts, West Sussex Music, The Pop Up Club and Chichester Music Academy, with performances in the foyer by Il Campane of Rebecca Cooke Singing. 

Nick Davidson, Head of Chichester Music Academy, says: “Spotlight on the Edge offered golden opportunity for young musicians and singer-songwriters to perform in an acclaimed venue. I’d like to thank the theatre’s creative director Angela Watkins, as well as Children on the Edge’s Emily Dadson and, of course, the theatre itself - we’re so pleased to have taken part in something that’s raised over £10,000 for such a fantastic cause. Roll on next year’s event!”

​Opening with a dramatic performance of Ravel’s Bolero by the West Sussex Music Spotlight Orchestra, Act One included a colourful excerpt from ‘A Chorus Line’ by the Arabesque School of Performing Arts, a stirring rendition of Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’ by local band ‘The Traits’ and an ‘On Pointe’ sequence by young members of Dance Industry.

The audience were then treated to a colourful dance piece entitled ‘Hope, Life, Colour, Fun - Dance!’ by CFYT Dance, which really bought out the theme of the show, and expressed ways in which young people in the UK can make a difference internationally.

Next came a welcome reminder of CFYT’s heart-warming Christmas show, ‘A Christmas Carol’, performed by members of the original cast. The first half then closed with a moving performance of Bui Do from ‘Miss Saigon’ by CFYT members past and present, joined by members of the Big Little Youth Theatre. The creativity continued throughout interval, with a beautiful recital in the foyer by Il Campane of Rebecca Cooke Singing.

Act 2 launched with a touching performance of John Rutter’s ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’ by the Spotlight Orchestra followed by a thought-provoking reflection on bullying in the shape of ‘Right Here, Right Now’ by The Pop Up Club. After Dance Industry’s dazzling ‘In Motion’, the audience enjoyed ‘Three’ sung by CMA’s Anna Foye and danced by Imogen Bailey and Nikki Skinner from the Arabesque School of Performing Arts. This contrasted with the next rousing Rock Medley by the Chichester Music Academy Choir. 

The buzz continued to the end with a dramatic interpretation of Bohemian Rhapsody by the Arabesque School of Performing Arts and Kodaline’s plaintive ‘All I Want’, sung by widely-acclaimed local singer-songwriter Isaac Waddington, under the auspices of Chichester Music Academy.

Most memorable, was the spectacular full-company finale performance of Footloose, sung and danced through the auditorium by a sea of young people in brightly coloured Children on the Edge t-shirts and accompanied by a well-deserved standing ovation.

Denise Patterson - High Sheriff of West Sussex who attended the event said of the show:  "It was certainly a show to remember. Talent and commitment shone from the young performers and what a splendid way to showcase Children on the Edge. Forgotten children in forgotten places, a statement that could not have been so sharply contrasted by such a wonderful evening at the Festival Theatre. Neither such thoughts I'm sure will be forgotten by the audience last night"

As part of their Winter Season Chichester Festival Theatre will be hosting a performance called ‘Spotlight on the Edge’ to support our work. We talk to some of those involved about their motivation to use their talents to make a difference.

This will be an evening of fundraising through music, song and dance by some of the most talented children in our locality, coming together to make a difference to children globally.

The one-off cast of gifted local young people includes Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, Dance Innovation, Arabesque School of Performing Arts, West Sussex Music, Dance Industry and Chichester Music Academy.

Performers from Chichester Youth Theatre on the night will include cast members from their most recent production - A Christmas Carol, together with alumni and guests from The Big Little Theatre School in Bournemouth. Chichester Youth Theatre regularly use their talents to raise money for Children on the Edge and a spokesperson described how the performers “recognise how others in the world are not so fortunate and were thrilled to be invited to perform at this charity event to help raise funds”.

Debbie von Molendorff, of the Arabesque School of Performing Arts says “We have the ethos that children need to be children. It’s a privilege for our children to be part of a wonderful event ultimately helping other children, and for Arabesque to support a very worthy cause”.

From choirs to bands, singer-songwriters to dance performers the evening promises to be bursting with some of the best local talent the area has to offer, including a performance by widely acclaimed local singer-songwriter Isaac Waddington (photo below left).

Liz Finch of Littlehampton’s ‘Dance Industry’ says “Our school is based in the residence of the original Body Shop factory and Anita Roddick was always a supporter of the arts and our school, so we were thrilled to be ask to perform in support of the charity she founded, Children on the Edge. Further to this, we think that all children should have equal opportunities around the world, so are glad we can help raise funds to those who are in a less fortunate position than us”.

​The performance will take place on the 24th January 2016 at 7.00pm and tickets are available now at £10 each via Chichester Festival Theatre. This promises to be a magical two hours of entertainment, so why not consider giving tickets as special present this Christmas? 

 On Saturday 17th November shoppers in Chichester were entertained with some animal magic, in the form of the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre’s latest street dance for Children on the Edge.

Specially formed to create an animal themed street dance in Chichester High Street, these young people gave a fantastic show for local shoppers to raise money for our work. Passers by the cross were greeted by a rooster, giraffe, zebra, horse, camel, frog, eagle, anteater and a cheetah as they went about their Christmas shopping.

These nine young people achieved the desired effect by sporting a colourful array of animal head dresses and smart white boiler suites. They came from a variety of schools in West Sussex and raised the fantastic amount of £480 for our projects with children living on the very margins of society. The money they raised will pay for 28 children in the slums of Uganda to receive a nutritious meal every day for an entire year at our Child and Community Centre.

Dale Rooks, Director of Chichester Festival Youth Theatre said how proud she was of the dancers for their contribution to this wonderful fundraising event and passers by commented on how great it was to see young people putting themselves out in this creative way for a good cause.

If you would like involved in fundraising for our work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!