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Helen Sexton, principal of The National Star College (Cheltenham) won the 2008 Learning and Skills Improvement Service STAR Award lifetime achievement category. Part of Helen’s prize was access to up to £1,500 for professional and/or personal development – the STARlight fund. Helen chose to use her STARlight fund to lead two fundraising treks to raise money in support of the college’s major fundraising appeal; the 'Star Appeal' that was established to match the LSC 50% approval in principle support of a major capital programme on the main campus site. Mid-way through this five-phased project, the college lost the LSC funding and so the 'Star Appeal' is now even more vital. |
In September 2007, Helen launched the 'Principal's Star Appeal Challenge' to all staff to raise at least £100 towards the 'Star Appeal', with an overall target of £100,000 by the end of 2010. The STARlight funding will allow Helen to pay for her travel costs for the treks which will take place in May 2010. She aims to take 24 people for a six day trek along the 85 mile route of Hadrian’s Wall, and in October 2010 to take 30 people to Nepal for a five day trek.
Helen established the ‘Principal's Star Appeal Challenge’ in order to engage staff in supporting the college’s major fundraising appeal, and enable them to make a difference to the long-term future of the college. This has had a powerful motivational effect with 250 staff becoming involved so far and raising £68,000 to date. Helen said:
"The huge benefits to my own personal health and wellbeing as a result of training for the treks will undoubtedly enable me to cope with the demands of my role. Completing the treks will also give me a huge sense of achievement. Establishing the two treks allows events to be put into place to achieve the £100,000 target by the end of 2010. I have never walked the distances that will be needed for the six days Hadrian’s Wall route and have never been to Nepal.
"I am incredibly fortunate to have worked for an amazing organisation for 28 years, with ten years as principal, alongside incredible staff and inspirational students. Achieving the overall £100,000 target for the 'Principal's Challenge' will be a great professional and personal achievement and contribute towards the legacy of capital improvements that will mean a lot to me when I eventually move on from the college."
