King’s Ely students raise record £13,000 for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Students and tutors from King’s Ely’(opens in new tab)s Osmond House, made up of around 100 boys, have raised a record-breaking £13,000 for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, after choosing the them as their House Charity for 2025-2026.

The partnership began when student Noah Drew nominated Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, after the care and support his family received during his grandmother’s end-of-life care.

Noah shared:

“I’m proud to say that, following my recommendation, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity was overwhelmingly chosen as our House Charity for 2025-2026.

I suggested the Charity because of my family’s personal experience of the care my grandmother received at the end of her life. That experience showed me just how special the team at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity is. It’s a Charity that means a great deal to me, and it’s also one that’s incredibly important to our local community.

I’m really proud that everyone in Osmond House got behind the partnership, and together we’ve been able to raise an incredible amount of money.”

The fundraising began at the start of the academic year when Community Fundraiser, Sarah Clayton, from Arthur Rank Charity, visited an Osmond House assembly to introduce students and staff. She explained how the Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advancing illness or nearing the end of life, as well as those important to them.

Inspired to make a difference, students and tutors organised and took part in a series of fundraising events throughout the year.

Their biggest challenges was the Everest Stair Climb,(opens in new tab) where participants climbed the equivalent of seven times the height of Mount Everest in just three hours. They also supported the Charity’s Spring Chick campaign, took part in Mission Mud and donated all the proceeds from OsFest 2026. Held every Summer Term, OsFest is organised by students and tutors in Osmond House with the support of Housemaster, Mr Paul Lott, and is one of the highlights of the House calendar. The house event invited Arthur Bear to stay on site in the run up to the festival and the afternoon was attended by hundreds connected to the school and raised £4,300.

Mr Lott said:

“This is the highest amount Osmond House has ever raised for a chosen charity. We are delighted not only with what the students and staff have achieved, but also with the connection we’ve built with Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. Supporting a local charity has helped our students see the difference their fundraising can make to families across our community.”

Sarah commented:

“It has been a pleasure to work with everyone at Osmond House this year. From my first visit to their assembly, I was struck by the enthusiasm of the students and staff. Their creativity, and energy has been incredible, and raising £13,000 is an outstanding achievement. We are so grateful for their support, which will help us continue providing compassionate care .

We would like to thank everyone at Osmond House for their generosity, enthusiasm and hard work throughout the year, and especially Noah for introducing Arthur Rank Hospice Charity to the school.”

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To find out more about supporting Arthur Rank Hospice Charity please email  CF@arhc.org.uk(opens in new tab)